The Ford Barn

Pilotdave · 01-07-2012, 09:17 AM

The brake lever in one brake rocks a bit in its bushings. Any guidance on how loose the brake lever can be in the bushings before the bushings should be replaced? I haven't found anything in the Service Bulletins nor in Les Andrews book. I'm tempted to just replace them as I have the backing plates off the car - that way I'll know they're okay.

Second question.... is there a way to remove the rear wheel backing plates from the car with the radius rods still in place? It's academic now as I have removed them after losing this fight with the first backing plate unit! But I am curious as Les Andrews doesn't mention the radius rods nor how one "...lifts the backing plate off the car for further disassembly...".

Aerocraft · 01-07-2012, 11:15 AM

I have always removed the radius rods since it seems like a Chinese torture drill to try to get the plates out with the rods still attached.

I would suggest that you replace the bushings and both levers since you have the backing plate off. If you don't replace the emergency levers, consider drilling them for a grease fitting.

Gar Williams

Pilotdave · 01-07-2012, 12:21 PM

Gar, good idea re: grease fitting on the e-brake levers. My sense is to replace anything that can wear as other indications are that these brakes haven't been taken apart in a LONG time.

columbiA · 01-07-2012, 08:38 PM

Its easy to remove rear backing plates if you snap the service brake lever forward till its horizontal,then it can be wiggled out.

Jim Parker Toronto · 01-07-2012, 09:51 PM

I'm with Areocraft on this one. You can wiggle them off, but they have to back on and that ain't fun! It's easy enough to undo one more bolt, and then put it back in.

pat in Santa Cruz · 01-07-2012, 10:09 PM

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Lateral cam shaft movement translates into pedal slop. I replace bushings and shafts on service brakes if I detect any slop. Theres no harm in having the best brakes you can get. To avoid removing the radius arms I use the same method as suggested by columbiA . Remove the shoes, then snap the service lever forward, and snake it out between the radius forks. If getting the radius arms back in place turns out to be seemingly impossible, you can loosen the torque tube at the differential as well as the rods at the forward bolt. Get all the bolts loosely in place first and then tighten it all up.

Pilotdave · 01-07-2012, 10:48 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I must say that I tried every possible combination of the service lever and emergency lever positions - no joy. Perhaps if I had removed the emergency brake lever.....
I'm planning to replace the bushings and shafts - it'll be a while before I'm back in there, and there's no point to not replacing them.
I now have all 4 brake units out of the car. All of the tracks are worn - plan to weld them up and grind down to spec. Will have the backing plates all sand blasted before that - there's a local fellow who takes a lot of care and can be relied on to clean only the surfaces I want done.

Jim Parker Toronto · 01-08-2012, 11:55 PM

I would not bother welding up the tracks. For the same money or less you can purchase new ones and have them installed. Then you know they are correct! At the same time you can add a grease fitting to the E-brake lever!

01-07-2012, 09:17 AM	#1
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,229	Couple of Brake Repair Questions The brake lever in one brake rocks a bit in its bushings. Any guidance on how loose the brake lever can be in the bushings before the bushings should be replaced? I haven't found anything in the Service Bulletins nor in Les Andrews book. I'm tempted to just replace them as I have the backing plates off the car - that way I'll know they're okay. Second question.... is there a way to remove the rear wheel backing plates from the car with the radius rods still in place? It's academic now as I have removed them after losing this fight with the first backing plate unit! But I am curious as Les Andrews doesn't mention the radius rods nor how one "...lifts the backing plate off the car for further disassembly...".

01-07-2012, 11:15 AM	#2
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: Couple of Brake Repair Questions I have always removed the radius rods since it seems like a Chinese torture drill to try to get the plates out with the rods still attached. I would suggest that you replace the bushings and both levers since you have the backing plate off. If you don't replace the emergency levers, consider drilling them for a grease fitting. Gar Williams

01-07-2012, 12:21 PM	#3
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,229	Re: Couple of Brake Repair Questions Gar, good idea re: grease fitting on the e-brake levers. My sense is to replace anything that can wear as other indications are that these brakes haven't been taken apart in a LONG time.

01-07-2012, 08:38 PM	#4
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Couple of Brake Repair Questions Its easy to remove rear backing plates if you snap the service brake lever forward till its horizontal,then it can be wiggled out.

01-07-2012, 09:51 PM	#5
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: Couple of Brake Repair Questions I'm with Areocraft on this one. You can wiggle them off, but they have to back on and that ain't fun! It's easy enough to undo one more bolt, and then put it back in.

01-07-2012, 10:09 PM	#6
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Couple of Brake Repair Questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Lateral cam shaft movement translates into pedal slop. I replace bushings and shafts on service brakes if I detect any slop. Theres no harm in having the best brakes you can get. To avoid removing the radius arms I use the same method as suggested by columbiA . Remove the shoes, then snap the service lever forward, and snake it out between the radius forks. If getting the radius arms back in place turns out to be seemingly impossible, you can loosen the torque tube at the differential as well as the rods at the forward bolt. Get all the bolts loosely in place first and then tighten it all up.

01-07-2012, 10:48 PM	#7
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,229	Re: Couple of Brake Repair Questions Thanks for the ideas. I must say that I tried every possible combination of the service lever and emergency lever positions - no joy. Perhaps if I had removed the emergency brake lever..... I'm planning to replace the bushings and shafts - it'll be a while before I'm back in there, and there's no point to not replacing them. I now have all 4 brake units out of the car. All of the tracks are worn - plan to weld them up and grind down to spec. Will have the backing plates all sand blasted before that - there's a local fellow who takes a lot of care and can be relied on to clean only the surfaces I want done.

01-08-2012, 11:55 PM	#8
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: Couple of Brake Repair Questions I would not bother welding up the tracks. For the same money or less you can purchase new ones and have them installed. Then you know they are correct! At the same time you can add a grease fitting to the E-brake lever!