Which of these could cause brake fading or the reduction in braking power occur?
- The heated drums expand away from the brake linings. ✓
- Cold weather conditions.
- The brake linings become contaminated.
- Brake fluid levels are too high.
Answer: A. The heated drums expand away from the brake linings.
Heated drums expanding away from the brake linings can cause brake fade and reduced braking power.
Why this is the answer
The handbook explains that braking creates heat, and too much heat can lead to brake fade or brake failure. It specifically says that as brake drums overheat, they expand until they may no longer contact the brake shoe. That loss of contact between the drum and the lining is what reduces braking power, so the heated drum expanding away from the lining fits the handbook's description of brake fade.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Cold weather conditions. — Cold weather is not described in the passages as a cause of brake fade or reduced braking power.
- C. The brake linings become contaminated. — Contaminated brake lining is listed as an inspection defect, but the passages do not say contamination causes brake fade.
- D. Brake fluid levels are too high. — Brake fluid level being too high is not mentioned in the passages as a cause of brake fade.
Remember it
Think heat first: overheated drums grow and can pull away from the shoes, so the brakes lose grip.