Steering Brake in a XJ

cher96 said:
Thanks for explaining it. I thought that another Master Cylinder had to be Installed some where to Operate the Cutting Brakes. In my mind, as I conceived it, Installing a Cutting Brake System was very complicated. Thanks for simplifying it. I have it Pictured in my Mind now and I think I will be able to do it without too much trouble.

Joke Thread or Not.... Thanks. I appreciate your help.
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The cutting brake _IS_ the other master cylinder, in fact, its two of them, each with a handle/lever as a pedal, and a pass through to take pressure from its input (which is fed by your ordinary master).
 
Thanks, I understand now.

The other Vehicle I had so long ago, and I am Embarrassed to say, was a '72 VW Baja and it used a Stock Emergency Brake Cable System for Steering Brakes. It was very unreliable as the Cable would Stretch and sometimes Break or the Cables would come off. I loved it when it worked... Hated it when I had to keep Fixing it.

Thank you so very much for helping me out. I appreciate it.
 
I think she deserves props for asking the question in general. I bet alot of people have never even heard of the cutting brakes. G'Luck on your venture and be safe and double check everything, I hate when brakes fail, things get bent and it sometimes hurts like hell, lol
 
She didn't understand how the system worked, she searched and asked questions while being quite polite. Also, she's a GRANDMA. Whatever happened to manners. Chivalry is not dead! lol :smootch:
 
boomhauer said:
She didn't understand how the system worked, she searched and asked questions while being quite polite. Also, she's a GRANDMA. Whatever happened to manners. Chivalry is not dead! lol :smootch:
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good call. sure it is simple, but i don't think my grandma, or most grandma's for that matter have much of an idea how normal brake systems work, not to mention a modified system such as this steering brake.... heck, my g-mama won't even ride in my jeep. props to even wanting to wheel in the first place, lady.:soapbox:
 
Would you believe it.... I Finally find a Couple of Posts Discussing a Cutter Break.

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/projecthr4/projecthr422/projecthr422.html

Project number 4 was to install a cutting break lever. Up until now I had used a pair of line locks to act as cutting brakes but it's just not as smooth or as easy to actuate the brakes as a dedicated lever. I picked up the cutting brake from Polyperformance, it's made by CNC and is 2 in, 2 out. Having no hard lines in my system made hooking the new cutting brake into the system a breeze. I just ordered the needed fittings along with an extra pair of SS braided brake lines from Speedway Motors and then rerouted the existing lines.

and http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2530055

Take the single line that goes to the back of the car and shorten it to go straight into the center port of the cutting brake system. Then out of each side goes a separate line back to each wheel. Essentially you are taking out the factory "T" and putting the cutting brakes in its place (And relocating obviously)

Once installed bleed brakes as you normally would (Do not pull the handles on the cutting brakes). That should about do it.
HINT: When mounting your cutting brakes keep them as low as possible (They are easier to bleed). I've seen guys mount them above the shifter on a center type of console (rail) for easier access. Impossible to bleed.

The brakes for the back wheels will over ride your hand brake. It is all the same line. If you are grabbing a hand full of brake on one side and stomp on the foot brake your hand will get thrown forward. Your foot brakes always over rides the hand brakes.

And yes you can gas while holding a brake It will put you side ways or help you take a corner. With disk brakes you can actually steer the car down the road with out the steering wheel. Not at all recommended but this gives you an idea how effective they are.

Edit: Added crude drawing.
The green is stock car. Red is what you will need to do.

cuttingbrakes.jpg
 
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The question I would have .. what terrain are you looking to use the cutting brake on?

I've been in a couple of rigs that have them at this point, and I can see some uses, but the scenarios are pretty specific ;)
 
cal said:
The question I would have .. what terrain are you looking to use the cutting brake on?

I've been in a couple of rigs that have them at this point, and I can see some uses, but the scenarios are pretty specific ;)
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Unfortunately, I live in Florida were they call 20 foot Inclines Hills. LOL

It is mostly Sand, Clay, Mud, Swamp, and Dirt.

Uses... Here are a Couple of Examples:

I was Stuck in a Good Sized Mud Hole. The Driver's Side Rear Tire was on pretty much Solid Ground, however, the other Side was Buried up to the Rear Bumper. With a Steering Brake, I could have brought the Spinning Tire to a Halt and Forced the Side on Solid Ground to Turn and Drive us Out. I know most People will say get a LunchBox.

However, as I mentioned before, a Cutting Brake would be nice to make Tight Turns around Trees, in Ravines and such on a Trail. I wish to do Better when Following some of our Local Club Members on Trails I do not know and who Drive their Short Wheel Based Vehicles like a Wrangler or another Mini Rig and my XJ Getting Cornered in by Trees or in a Ravine. I always make it through but only after a Three Point Turn or a Lot of Maneuvering holding up all the Rigs behind me while the Rigs in Front Leave us Behind.

Like I said... I have had an Emergency Brake Setup on my '72 VW Baja long ago so I do know how to use one. Where I lived at the Time was in Wisconsin and having a Steering Brake up there had been a big help going through the Woods and Getting Out of Mud Holes.
 
To take care of the 3 point turns, you could put a Tera 2-low kit in the t-case and throw a lunch box in and you're golden. But if your heart is set on cutting brakes let us know how that goes. FWIW, I think the 2low and locker would be money better spent. -B:thumbup:
 
I have given Thought to Installing a Tera 2 Low Kit before for other Reasons.

How would that help take care of my 3 Point Turn Issues in Tight Spots?
 
my tires stick out far enough that i can just set one tire on the tree i'm trying to pivot around, and in 4lo, with the wheels cocked the whole way, the lock rite kicks in, and she just walks around the trees like a zerodegree-turning radius mower. it's friggin sweet. i have no flares, and some pretty offset rims. also i'm not scared of a little pinstriping or a couple dents.
 
bandit455 said:
why couldnt you seperate the e brake and put two handles side by side
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yeah i read about something like this in Four Wheeler magazine a couple of years ago or something. they used it if their vehicle (toyota i think) was flexed out and used it just long enough to get the vehicle to jump far enough to get all 4 tires back on the ground (instead of buying a locker). i guess that wouldn't tear out the t-case if you were gentle. now as far as skidding the inside wheel in a turn or whatev, might be fine in really slick stuff. heck get an extra transfer case and give it a try! subscribed.
 
$700later said:
yeah i read about something like this in Four Wheeler magazine a couple of years ago or something. they used it if their vehicle (Toyota i think) was flexed out and used it just long enough to get the vehicle to jump far enough to get all 4 tires back on the ground (instead of buying a locker). i guess that wouldn't tear out the t-case if you were gentle. now as far as skidding the inside wheel in a turn or whatever, might be fine in really slick stuff. heck get an extra transfer case and give it a try! subscribed.
Click to expand...

Slip Kid said:
That's what I had planned on doing.
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Please, don't even Think about using the Stock Emergency Brake Cable System for Cutting Brakes as they are Not Safe and will some Time or another Catch on something and Jerk the Cables off. IMHO

Again, as I said before, I had a '72 VW Baja and it used a Stock Emergency Brake Cable System for Steering Brakes. It was very unreliable as the Cable would Stretch and sometimes Break or the Cables would come off. I loved it when it worked... Hated it when I had to keep Fixing it.
 
why not get over not being able to turn tightly! i mean you are in a god damn lifted, locked, jeep! seriously!
 
256offroad said:
why not get over not being able to turn tightly! i mean you are in a god damn lifted, locked, jeep! seriously!
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Thank you for your Thoughts.

Some of us do not have the Luxury of Trails that have Inclines of any Worth or Rock to Crawl about.

Some of us live in Flatland Areas like myself where Sand, Mud, Swamp, Clay, or Limestone Rules the Day and where Twisting around Trees and Brush or Twisting through Ravines is about all there is.
 
Here is a simplified diagram I found. Now, I understand why some Jeepers wouldn't post up solutions or decided to hassle this thread.

When plumbed in-line, these cutting brakes provide individual hand brake control of right or left wheel.


pg60-d3.JPG
 
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