<VV> Dual or Single Master Cylinder

[Dennis & Debbie Pleau]

The first time I did a brake job on a Volvo in either 71 or 72, I made my 
boss go out and get a book as I couldn't trace all the circuits.  After 
looking in the book, I thought is was a well thought out braking system.

Dennis

At 07:27 AM 12/5/2005, Mike Kost wrote:
>On the Volvo (at least our `82 240 wagon) if you had a circuit go out you 
>still had 3 wheels of braking. The front disks were a dual circuit design 
>so that you had 2 front and 1 rear on each circuit. you also had a 
>separate small drum inside the rear hub for the E-brake. I never had a 
>brake line failure in it but would imagine this setup would provide 
>reasonable stopping ability in case of emergency.
>
>Mike Kost
>
>><>I believe that the owners manual for most dual baking system cars (Volvo
>>does, or used to do, it a bit differently) does say that it offers reduced
>>braking performance under conditions of partial brake failure. So, "Blow a
>>circuit, and you really don't have much left," is the normal modus 
>>operandi. I
>>sincerely hope that I never again have the personal experience from which 
>>I speak.
>>
>>Perhaps one would want to consider a true dual master cylinder setup, ala:
>>http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/PedalSetup-DualMaster-Guide.pdf,
>>also perhaps considering professional installation.
>>
>>Drive On!
>>
>>Bill Strickland