quick question?

85xjwoody

NAXJA Forum User
Will I pass safety inspection before a trail run if I have no rear brakes? If money is available I will have my 8.8 in and won't have to worry about it. But if I have to use my d35 I won't have any brakes.
I know it is not the best thing to do but money is tight right now. So will I be ok to go with no brakes out back? Fronts are all brand new. Driving will be different on the trail and I understand that.
I know the risks involved so it is my own ass on the line. I will make sure everybody is out of the way when I try something hard. So do I get to play or not?

Kim.
 
Well...that is not something we would normally ask about, so we would not know. However, it would be unsafe at the least and not a good idea. You have seen some of the hills, do you really want to loose traction half way up (remember it could be icy) and have to try and stop slidding backwords with only front brakes? Or more importantly...would you want to be the guy behind the guy on the hill, with only front brakes?

Hope that clears it up.

If not...then yes, I would say the vehicle is unsafe and should not be allowed on the run.

Rev
 
IMHO, you should fail inspection, because you won't have parking brakes. But that's me.

I've never seen tech inspection get down and look for them, though.

It's not just your ass on the line, it's anybody downhill from you, or in your direction of movement, if you can't stop.
 
Well, looks like I am going to be putting in some overtime. I will not be showing up with the d35. I new the risks and didn't like them either with others around.
Thanks for the quick response. Time to break out the new Hobart welder and get some practice for the axle swap. Damn, I hate overtime. Oh well. 8.8 is on the way. Thanks again.

Kim.
 
Glad you're gonna try to make it, really enjoyed your company at CF. I am very glad that you decided to make it safe, missing Winterfest is a small thing compared to risking injury to yourself......or me.

Rev
 
Rev Den said:
Glad you're gonna try to make it, really enjoyed your company at CF. I am very glad that you decided to make it safe, missing Winterfest is a small thing compared to risking injury to yourself......or me.

Rev

Thanks Rev.

I will be making it this year. I had alot of fun at Badlands at CF but riding just doesn't do it. I need to beat my heap of junk down there!! It is going to be a great time.

Kim.
 
ChiXJeff said:
IMHO, you should fail inspection, because you won't have parking brakes. But that's me.

I've never seen tech inspection get down and look for them, though.

It's not just your ass on the line, it's anybody downhill from you, or in your direction of movement, if you can't stop.

Not being a smart ass here (this time)...

I have never found a use for my parking brake in my driveway so why would I expect it to benefit me on the trail?

Should a person really fail a trail ride tech inspection for lack of a parking brake?

I have never found myself in need of one on the trail with my automatic. I can see the merit with a manual however.

I'm considering going to a rear disk setup that would eliminate the parking brake so this is an honest question.

Also, I should say that I live in far southern Indiana where there are no vehicle inspections so street legality in that regard isn't of concern.
 
Yes, you *SHOULD* fail tech inspection for lack of a parking brake.

You place too much trust in a parking pawl. I certainly wouldn't trust it on it's own on a steep slope.

The parking brake is also the EMERGENCY brake. Should you blow a line (yes, I know about redundant hydraulic circuits,) this is yet another avenue to control your vehicle.

I see no reason to ever drop a parking brake.
 
I would venture to say that most of us are not happy with the performance of our Parking Brake ... mine works somewhat, but is not what I would call good. I have disc brakes in the rear, but the parking brake is still designed around the shoe/drum concept. It even has smaller "shoes" and "drums" than a stock XJ axle.

IMO ... the rear brakes should be in good working order. This is, indeed, a critical part of the brake system. The Parking Brake should work well too, but I do not see it as a critical Safety issue.

Les

BTW: I am considering installing a "Line Lock" braking system for a Parking Brake as a future upgrade.
 
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Don't use a line loc. I lost a fender because some dumb bunny used one of these. The loc released, then it rolled 20ft into my Jeep (gentle grade). Kinda pissed me off.

Rear brake question: Woody, I wouldn't have thought you'd even ask the question. Shame on you thinking of Off-Roading with only 60% of your brakes!

OT is a biatch. Hope you get that thing together before the FCR! :)
 
ChiXJeff said:
Yes, you *SHOULD* fail tech inspection for lack of a parking brake.

You place too much trust in a parking pawl. I certainly wouldn't trust it on it's own on a steep slope.

The parking brake is also the EMERGENCY brake. Should you blow a line (yes, I know about redundant hydraulic circuits,) this is yet another avenue to control your vehicle.

I see no reason to ever drop a parking brake.

Have you ever tried to stop your rig using the "park" brake? If so you know that it will be a very long time before you actually stop. It is in fact a park brake nothing more. Also, have you ever actually used it in an emergency situation? It doesn't do anything more to stop the vehicle when your foot is on the brake. If you lost all hydraulic braking capability then it would help a little. If your drum brakes are adjusted properly you can lock up the rears but, what good is that really? (from a saftey stand point)


A park pawl on the other hand can take a great deal of abuse. (you would be suprised)

Manufacturers had to change the name of it from emergency brake to park brake for liability reasons.

So I would make the rule Park brake for standard trans. Park brake or park pawl for auto's

:)




***(I use my park brake frequently when parking.)****




**** to save the pawl****
 
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Zuki-Ron said:
Rear brake question: Woody, I wouldn't have thought you'd even ask the question. Shame on you thinking of Off-Roading with only 60% of your brakes!

I have been wheeling with only front brakes since I got my jeep. Have had no problems just take more caution on the trail than usual. I have not gone to an official event yet so it hasn't been a concern for me. I knew the risks involved and understood what could go wrong.

Now I have a reason to get rid of my d35 in favor of something more durable and easier for brakes. Would much rather stick the money into the 8.8 than paying for brakes on my d35.

As far as a parking brake goes, I have no use for one, will never have a use for one, so I will never have one. If that fails me for a trail ride or upsets some people, oh well. Life goes on. It would just suck that I waisted my time putting in an 8.8 to get rear brakes to only be sidelined for no parking brake because some people think that it is a major requirement. If all four brakes work, that should do.

Dirk Pitt asked already and I will also. So will not having a parking brake sideline someone from a trail ride or can we ride with brakes all around?

Kim
 
Dirk Pitt said:
Not being a smart ass here (this time)...

I have never found a use for my parking brake in my driveway so why would I expect it to benefit me on the trail?

Should a person really fail a trail ride tech inspection for lack of a parking brake?

I have never found myself in need of one on the trail with my automatic. I can see the merit with a manual however.

I'm considering going to a rear disk setup that would eliminate the parking brake so this is an honest question.

Also, I should say that I live in far southern Indiana where there are no vehicle inspections so street legality in that regard isn't of concern.
Adam, remember, you're talking to Jeff there.
This is a guy who double locks his pickup cap between gas stops on the road.
Jeff, we love you but there's a line between careful and, "Jesus F***n Christ, let it go already!", that you tend to blur. :D
 
MY personal motto:

If you don't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question!

Personally, I don't like a vehicle not having a fully functioning braking system. that means everything. My E-brake has saved my ass more than once. I'd be uncomfortable rollin behind him. But then again I won't stand and look over the edge of a cliff either. I'll tie myself off first.
 
Rev Den said:
The debate over the need for a parking brake aside...

No.....a non-functioning parking brake will not fail your tech at Winterfest.

HTH

Rev


good thing, don't have one, never have had one.

is winterfest here yet, I need to wheel you fawkers.
 
85xjwoody said:
I have been wheeling with only front brakes since I got my jeep. Have had no problems just take more caution on the trail than usual. I have not gone to an official event yet so it hasn't been a concern for me. I knew the risks involved and understood what could go wrong.
Kim

Kim, I don't want to seem harsh, but that seems awfull selfish of you. Have you no concern for the other folks on the Highway or Trail with you? How can you assume that others are willing to risk their lives and property because you have decided for them?
If you accidently break a line, or pull off a brake hose with a stick or rock, you will be in tough shape. So will anyone unlucky enough to be in the way.
This hobby is dangerous enough as it is.
Be a pal and fix it before you wheel it :wave:

Rev, IMO, if ony 1/2 of the hydraulic system works, it should fail tech.
 
Zuki-Ron said:
Kim, I don't want to seem harsh, but that seems awfull selfish of you. Have you no concern for the other folks on the Highway or Trail with you? How can you assume that others are willing to risk their lives and property because you have decided for them that you are willing to risk it ?
If you accidently break a line, or pull off a line with a stick or rock, you will be in tough shape. So will anyone unlucky enough to be in the way.
This hobby is dangerous enough as it is.
Be a pal and fix it before you wheel it :wave:

Rev, IMO, if ony 1/2 of the hydraulic system works, it should fail tech.

Ok Ron. Seems like I touched a soft spot for ya here. Let me explain something here.
First, my jeep is not a daily driver. I have never been to any Off Road parks with it either. I have only wheeled in a few small places. When I wheel at the Pipeline I only go with my friends and I don't go and try something stupid because of not having rear brakes. I wheel smart. The other places I have gone have only have small hills and alot of mud. Also tight trails that are challenging.

As I have said, the problem will be taken care of before Winterfest. I know the rules and I will follow them for everyones safety. I don't want to go to my first event with me jeep and F-ck it up and not be able to go or hurt somebody.

I have never put any of my friends in a bad situation because of no rear brakes. We all know to stay clear when we attempt something. Hope this clears it up for you a little bit.

Kim.
 
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