Okay, so we've all seen these before in JC Whitney: http://seniordesign.engr.uidaho.edu/1998_1999/simustop/page2.html I've always wondered if they worked, or were complete bullshit. Anybody ever use these? What were your results? Here's a site selling them, with a much bigger picture, and some copy written to "sell" it to ya: http://www.southwestspeed.com/?sec=view_part&id=1202 They say: PREVENTS THE WHEELS FROM LOCKING UP UNDER EXTREME BRAKING HELPS KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR REDUCES PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE BRAKE LINES DURING A HEAVY BRAKING EVENT; THIS EFFECTIVELY SMOOTHS OUT THE BRAKING OF A VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TO IMPROVE CONTROLLABILITY AND REDUCE BRAKING DISTANCE BY UP TO 8% THIS DEVICE CAN BE USED ON ANY TYPE OF AUTOMOBILE OR TRUCK KIT COMES COMPLETE WITH 2 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CUSHION CYLINDERS; ONE FOR FRONT & ONE FOR REAR EXTRMELY COMPACT DESIGN; CYLINDERS MEASURE ONLY 3" LONG X 1.5" IN DIAMETER Sounds almost too good to be true. ~Jason
Those were pretty popular in the late 80's. Never actually used them and never spoke to anyone who had. Google turned up some stuff though: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2001/05/brakeguardcmp.pdf
I remember the sales pitch back when I worked for The Rod Factory. The rep was describing what they do and in a sense is just a big metering valve/accumulator. I think TCI used them for a short while, maybe a few others also. Just reading the PDF from the lawsuit I quoted there. Looks like it didn't really work.
more: http://www.scribd.com/doc/1182028/24/b-Other-Tests-Of-The-Brake-Guard-Device the NHTSA was not amused it seems
Pure snale oil... Just an accumulator with a pressure relief chamber. All it does is give the brake fluid a place to go [instead of the calipers/pistons] so less fluid pressure is applied in the system, resulting in less likelyhood you will lock your tires under heavy braking. Actually kinda scary IMHO, as it's a universal kit. A Honda Civicc and a 1 ton chevy dually have VERY different dynamics within the braking system, but this "kit" works for both of them In the end, all it will do for you is increase pedal travel and lower line pressure under hard braking. This kit has no way of detecting, controling, or modulating wheel lockup. If you want ABS, retro-fit it out of junk yard pieces, but dont spend a dime on this POS.
Cant see how this works,most systems I have seen have some sort of sensor to detect lock up of wheels,on a panic stop.And then anti lok system takes over
Awesome, I have a 55 chevy in the shop right now that has those on it. We all wondered what they were. ABS, who knew?
How long has he had 'em on there? What does HE say about 'em working or not? I probably shouldn't ask - the heartbeat valve covers probably hint at the answer... ~Jason
Lets just say, weld wheels, pro street rears, head rest seats, trunk mounted cd player, fenderwell headers on a blown 540 big block with intercooler (non-functioning) as a spacer, um, huge center console, everything painted flat black, yeah, everything, on a 55 chevy post car. In his defense, the car has been together since the late 80's, and he has not rear-ended anyone yet! I'm not about to ask him how the brake thingies work.
Kinda hard to have ABS without something to tell the system when the wheels are locking up. No speed sensors=no ABS. Works as well as cow magnets on your fuel lines work to improve mileage.
Not only does it need sensors, but it needs something to release and re-apply brake pressure to the locked wheels. My late model van beater has one under it - how good is it? When I got it, the lines to the rear were already plumbed out, and when I get on the brakes hard on snow/ice, I know the right front locks up because it pulls that way every time. Close as I can tell the unit does nothing at this point. ABS works, but if you're not one to panic in a sliding situation and can pump the brakes, you don't really need it. It will do the job faster than you can, for sure, but using some common sense keeps you out of most of the situations where you need it in the first place.
What! Magnets on the fuel line don't work? Next you're gonna tell me that spiral thingie I put in my aircleaner does not make more power.......
The BRAKE GUARD is nothing more than an hydraulic ACCUMULATOR that MAY absorb/reduce an initial pressure spike during hard braking. A search of GOOGLE PATENTS shows the first patent to be, 4571009, Pre-pressurized accumulator for hydraulic brake system. "Disclosed is an accumulator for use on hydraulic brake systems. The accumulator includes a housing, a pressurization cap which is threadably connected into the housing and a resilient bulb contained within a volume between the housing and pressurization cap. The resilient bulb provides a flexible..." Follow-on Patents by the same inventor are 5074625, 5265942, 5380074. Aircraft Hydraulic Accumulators are used to provide Emergency (when every thing else fails) Braking and maintain near constant line pressure during major hydraulic events like Landing Gear retraction. If anyone would like to purchase a unused set of Brakes Guards still in the original box, send a PM. They LOOK real purddy! The only skid BRAKE GUARD has ever experienced was when the Federal Judge put a skidding stop to their Anti-Skid claims/advertising.
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