39 brake adjustments

[30-9]

Hi Guys

I read and reread the directions for adjusting the brakes and I'm still confused.

My brakes are already installed. I just want to adjust for wear. I think, the way I read it, I only need to adjust the top bolt/cam, on each shoe. Is this correct?

Or do I need to losin the pin lock nuts and also fiddle with the pins (and the top bolt) for each shoe....

[SofaKing]

The bottom adjusters move the shoe up and down. The upper adjusters move them in and out.

Loosen the bottom and turn it until the shoe hits the drum, turn it the other way until it hits and split the difference, that centers the shoe vertically. Turn the upper adjuster until the shoe hits, back it off just until the brake drum spins freely. Repeat on all the rest.

[30-9]

Thanks for the quick reply. Since my brakes are already installed and workin, I think they are centered. So do I really need to go through the bottom exercise. I just want to adjust for wear. Sorry if dumb question.

[SofaKing]

I don't know for certain how fast they wear, I'd guess you could probably skip the vertical adjustment if they are fairly new shoes/ short time since installed. Since they pivot at the bottom and are actuated at the top, I would expect the top to wear thin first so a mid-life vertical adjustment would be useful.

[30-9]

Thanks. Does the bottom locking nut still need to be loosened to adjust the top cam/bolt?

I would think not but, better to ask than not

[SofaKing]

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No. They are completely independent of each other. The upper adjuster is a nautilus shaped cam on a swaged stud with a spring for tension, mine were stiff from rust as well. Good luck.

[19Fordy]

39 and 40 are the same. Here's what you need to know.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...40+ford+brakes
and this:
http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/brakeadj.html

[30-9]

Thanks Sofa - I think I got it now

19Fordy - I did read all those posts, but still didn't get it. I'm a real novice, thats learning new things at 71

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by 30-9

Thanks Sofa - I think I got it now

19Fordy - I did read all those posts, but still didn't get it. I'm a real novice, thats learning new things at 71

OK. Just be aware that there are two types of brake adjustment. A Major break adjustment and a Minor brake adjustment. At 71, you're still having fun and that's what counts. I know the feeling as I'm 72 and not quite through. All the best.

[30-9]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

OK. Just be aware that there are two types of brake adjustment. A Major break adjustment and a Minor brake adjustment. At 71, you're still having fun and that's what counts. I know the feeling as I'm 72 and not quite through. All the best.

Minor being - adjusting for wear? My peddle seems a little lower than I think it should be, brakes are in good shape. So minor would be Upper bolt/cam only?

Major being - Adjusting lower then the upper?

Hope I got it right

[Kahuna]

30-9
Do the entire adjustment procedure as outlined by Jim (19Fordy).
If you do this you will have excellent brakes.
It's a bit time consuming, but those brakes will work real well
JMO
Jim

[bbrocksr]

Originally Posted by 30-9

Hi Guys

I read and reread the directions for adjusting the brakes and I'm still confused.

My brakes are already installed. I just want to adjust for wear. I think, the way I read it, I only need to adjust the top bolt/cam, on each shoe. Is this correct?

Or do I need to losin the pin lock nuts and also fiddle with the pins (and the top bolt) for each shoe....

If your just adjusting for wear adjust the top adjuster only! When the shoes were installed they should have been centered with the bottom adjuster.
Moving the shoe up or down after it is worn in to the drum would only cause a problem. Bill