Jakes, Automatic Downshifting and New Brake Shoes

[Glennman]

Ok, as I mentioned in another thread regarding my Jakes, we attempted to wire them direct which didn't work. In the meantime, we drove the bus to the beach last weekend, and now the transmission no longer automatically downshifts to 4th gear at foot braking like it used to. To top it off, I ended up having to come to a complete stop on the westerly downhill side of White Pass (6 percent grade). Now my new brake shoes are glazed, they squeal really loud and they stunk too.

In researching the brake lining material, apparently there is a material that transit authorities use called "KVT" because (as they say) they are less prone to glazing and would work well on mountain grades. Typically, when descending a grade, I use short, stiff brake applications, but since I was forced to come to a stop, I had no choice but to do just that. Now my 500 mile shoes are messed up.

I know there are a lot of subjects here, but they are kind of intertwined. Has anyone ever heard of KVT shoe material and any suggestions on the automatic downshifting would be much appreciated.

[luvrbus]

KTV linings are non metallic ( no copper)a soft lining school buses use that type lining too. I installed new pads on my Lexus made by Nairobi the same type material.
 The B500 should not down shift to 4th gear without the Jakes switch turn on. You have a commutations problem could be a bad harness, a bent pin something simple or a bad ECM.A DD-Allision dealer has the equipment to check that for you. If you want to keep fighting it I have both the application manuals for the B500 and the series 60,I will let you use, they are rare and hard to find I would want those back, I have nothing on the MCI chassis modules. Testing the system has to be broken down in 2 parts, the OEM reasonability stops at the ECMs , the manufactures reasonability goes from there. That bus should have the ABS system the Jakes could be programed to work with the ABS system from MCI if it was down shifting by applying the brakes       
 

[Glennman]

KTV linings are non metallic ( no copper)a soft lining school buses use that type lining too. I installed new pads on my Lexus made by Nairobi the same type material.
 The B500 should not down shift to 4th gear without the Jakes switch turn on. You have a commutations problem could be a bad harness, a bent pin something simple or a bad ECM.A DD-Allision dealer has the equipment to check that for you. If you want to keep fighting it I have both the application manuals for the B500 and the series 60,I will let you use, they are rare and hard to find I would want those back, I have nothing on the MCI chassis modules. Testing the system has to be broken down in 2 parts, the OEM reasonability stops at the ECMs , the manufactures reasonability goes from there. That bus should have the ABS system the Jakes could be programed to work with the ABS system from MCI if it was down shifting by applying the brakes       
 
Thanks luvrbus. I appreciate the offer. The trouble is that I would probably only get more confused if I had the manuals in my hand. If I decide to go that route, I'll certainly let you know. I'll get a hold of my mechanic and see what he thinks.

I'll be ordering the new KVT lined shoes and give up my old ones with 500 miles on them as a core. It's unfortunate, but it's not like they sold me the wrong ones. They say that it's expensive to obtain a quality education these days.