Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Here is a quick video I made installing the front backing plates:

https://youtu.be/qGjLgN49bUo

I am finally getting around to installing the brakes that I had rebuilt by the amazing Randy Gross. I can not say enough how great of a guy he was to talk to on the phone and help answer my questions. Reading all about him and his reputation on this forum has really put me at ease. This is my first Model A and I am really excited to get the brakes done and feel the difference of cast iron drums. I drove 5,000 miles this past year in my first year of ownership and can't wait to put more miles on my Town Sedan.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Thanks for the video, enjoyed watching.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Two things I forgot to do:
1. I added one pill to the operating pin on each side
2. The castle nuts should go on the outside of the backing plate

Those have both been corrected.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Nice catch. Watching the video I was wondering about both of those things.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

First time doing it. At least I didn't have cotter pins in yet :)

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

This applies only to the front.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Yes sir it does. I've read through Les Andrews a couple times for the rears now haha

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Good video, thanks!

Please update the info box on the video with these items you mentioned.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Done. Thanks for the idea.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

All great and lets keep going now..

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Wasn't just a week or so ago that someone had put the castle nuts on the inside, and that kept the drum from seating? At first it was thought maybe there was something wrong about the bearings or races.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

I could see that possibly being a problem. Fortunately, Mark Maron pointed out my mistakes before I had the cotter pins in the bolts. It only took 10 minutes to fix the bolts on each side.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

What is the purpose of adding the "pill"? I would assume that with new everything that a pill would not be necessary.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

The brake actuating assembly was not new. So a pill inserted on a new pin should help take up any wear on the actuating assembly. I should get the full 15 degree forward lean that is wanted.

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

So, its like Viagra?

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Yes! Only it should last longer than 4 hours :-)

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Thank you for sharing that video. That new backing plate looked so neat when you first installed it. I think that I would have had to just sit back and admire it for a few minutes before doing anything else.

Thanks again for sharing,

Mike

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Does the "pill" go on the top of the rod or on the bottom?

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Pill goes in the bottom.
Jeff

Re: Installing Randy Gross Front Brakes/backing plates!
 

Yep, the pill goes on the bottom. It's just a concave washer... Looks like a small metal contact lens.