How do you adjust the brake pedal to be in the correct position?
 

The Les Andrews book doesn't tell how to adjust the brake pedal to the cross shaft. After having my brake shoes relined, drums turned, shoes arched to drums, new rods and other brake parts I made the mistake of putting everything back together without starting with adjusting the brake pedal to the cross shaft. Should adjusting the brake pedal to the shaft be the very first step before I put the service brake rods on? Or can I leave the brake rods on and adjust the pedal to the shaft accordingly?

I followed the Les Andrews instructions on how to adjust the brakes and when I went to use the board with notches cut in it (the tool used to put pressure on the pedal while you adjust the brakes accordingly) I found that my brake pedal was already half way forward, towards the front of the car, but the cross shaft was in the vertical postion. So I assume I need to adjust the brake pedal to the cross shaft? How do you do this? Should I disconnect all the rods and start over?

Re: How do you adjust the brake pedal to be in the correct position?
 

I forgot to mention this is on a 1931 coupe.

Thanks for the help!

Re: How do you adjust the brake pedal to be in the correct position?
 

Shorten the rod that connects the brake pedal to the service brake cross shaft so that the pedal is all the way up and the arms on the service brake cross shaft are in the vertical position. To do this you should disconnect the brake rods, unless the arms are already vertical.

Re: How do you adjust the brake pedal to be in the correct position?
 

From the service bulletins:

"......pull the brake pedal all the way back until it is against its stop - then adjust the rod until there is about 1/16” clearance between end of rod and rear flange of center cross member (leaving a little clearance between end of rod and cross member prevents any possibility of the end of the rod rubbing against the cross member and causing a squeak).

After adjusting the brake pedal to cross rod, assemble side pull rods to brake operating and cross shaft end levers. When assembling the side pull rods, pull the brake operating levers on the front axle back and the brake operating levers on the rear axle forward (taking up all idle movement). Then with the levers in this position adjust the side pull rods so they can be assembled to brake operating and cross shaft end levers.

Next adjust brakes by turning up the adjusting wedges as described on page 202 of the January, 1928, Bulletin. After the brake rods have been correctly adjusted car owners should be notified that this adjustment must not be altered. Service brake adjustments must be made only by means of the adjusting wedge at each brake."

Re: How do you adjust the brake pedal to be in the correct position?