What are "Good" Brakes on a Pinzgauer

[ExpeditionImports]

Hi Guys,

Just tossing this up here because we are seeing some abysmal braking coming through the shop. Recently picked up a Pinz at auction that had been totaled when the driver had a moron pull in front of them. A light tap enough to bend the body, hence total it. Just took the truck out for a test drive......the brakes are so far out of adjustment that they require 3 pumps to get full braking. You are not going to be able to do that in a panic stop situation. My complete hypothesis is that the accident might have been avoidable if the brakes were functioning properly.

Understand proper pinzgauer brakes allow a hard single press to lock the wheels.

In a panic stop the truck should stop in a semi straight line without huge amounts of counter steer. I can tell you this is much harder to attain on a 4x4 than a 6x6, but it is what you should strive for.

Spend a little time safely testing your braking ability. It might surprise you how poor it is. The time to learn of that is NOT at the accident.

Cheers,

Scott

[undysworld]

Scott,

Saw you just put this up, so I'll chime in. I've got "green gripper" lining on the front and rearmost axles of my 712, I adjust all 8 adjusters and clean things out every 1000k or so, and it stops on a dime with just one push. In an emergency stop situation from about 55 on dry pavement, it's braked fairly straight until it slowed a bunch and then skids to about a 45 degree stop. It's a little disconcerting at the end, because it's such a tall truck. The old magazine reviews stated that the brakes don't feel any too substantial, but to my mind, they work just fine if you keep them tuned.

[westernair]

I adjust mine every 12k when I look at and repack my barrings.
They work great and no over steering is necessary.

[krick3tt]

I need new shoes.

[TechMOGogy]

I voted based on my Hafi vs a Pinz
I know it is much lighter but I alway make sure it stops better than it goes.
Common sense in a 40 year old vehicle.

[4x4Pinz]

mine always stop very well. Adjust every other oil change or about 6K miles. Have had to panic stop once so hard it tore the shoe lining from the shoes themselves. I will not allow shoes on my truck unless they are bonded and riveted. The company that relines my shoes is an old brake and clutch shop. That I am aware of they don't use any special lining and both trucks stop great.

[Q]

p.o. must have been very meticulous- mine still stops on a dime, but i would like to have replacement parts in reserve…

[ScottishPinz]

Adjusted the brakes today after my long trip around Scotland. Pads were in good condition with plenty of wear left. Only needed a click or so to get them right. Still pulls to one side or other though. It is not consistent as to which side it pulls too, so I don't think there is much I can do to make it stop straighter. Maybe the next thing is to bleed the system and replace the brake fluid.

I was pleased to remember the tip I read on here that the bolt from the arial mounts fits the brake drum puller, so thanks to who ever posted that one

[Stekay]

The other side of the equation (often forgotten) after getting a good pedal with all the shoes adjusted equally or the fronts slightly closer is to get the alignment (toe-in) correct and the tire pressures equal.