Brake adjustments, stick or no stick

[nkaminar]

Paul, Adjusting the rods should only be done to bring the rods up to their specifications. Any worn parts should be fixed first. After that, all adjustments should only be done with the adjusters. The front levers should be repaired so that there is no slack when they are at the 15 degrees angle. I usually have to add one of the "pills" spacers or replace the pins that go through the king pin. Of course, the brakes must be in good condition to be able to adjust them properly.

If you plan on living long enough that the parts for the rods get worn, then you will have to again adjust them, after fixing the worn parts.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Paul, Adjusting the rods should only be done to bring the rods up to their specifications. Any worn parts should be fixed first. After that, all adjustments should only be done with the adjusters. The front levers should be repaired so that there is no slack when they are at the 15 degrees angle. I usually have to add one of the "pills" spacers or replace the pins that go through the king pin. Of course, the brakes must be in good condition to be able to adjust them properly.

If you plan on living long enough that the parts for the rods get worn, then you will have to again adjust them, after fixing the worn parts.

Obviously, worn parts should be replaced, as the video states. I very respectfully disagree that the rod adjustments should never be touched. That is all. There is definitely a need to adjust the rods. At least initially.

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by P.S.

Obviously, worn parts should be replaced, as the video states. I very respectfully disagree that the rod adjustments should never be touched. That is all. There is definitely a need to adjust the rods. At least initially.

If Ford did not foresee the need to adjust the brake rod lengths, then why did he make them all adjustable?

He could have lowered his cost of each rod a bit (always a big driver for Henry) by making them all a fixed length. Clearly Ford's engineers understood that the rod lengths were not fixed.

In fact, Ford DID run production for some months with fixed length brake rods (May '28 to Nov. '28). And then they went back to adjustable brake rods. CLEARLY there was (and still is) a need to be able adjust the rods to fit the chassis.

Once the rod lengths are figured out for a specific car, I'd say all further brake adjustment (to compensate for lining wear) can be done (should be done) with just the adjusters on the backing plates.
.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

If Ford did not foresee the need to adjust the brake rod lengths, then why did he make them all adjustable?

He could have lowered his cost of each rod a bit (always a big driver for Henry) by making them all a fixed length. Clearly Ford's engineers understood that the rod lengths were not fixed.

In fact, Ford DID run production for some months with fixed length brake rods (May '28 to Nov. '28). And then they went back to adjustable brake rods. CLEARLY there was (and still is) a need to be able adjust the rods to fit the chassis.

Once the rod lengths are figured out for a specific car, I'd say all further brake adjustment (to compensate for lining wear) can be done (should be done) with just the adjusters on the backing plates.
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I agree!