Setting up m'lady

[Pinesdune]

Hi guys, sorry to bug the guru's of the forum again, just have m'lady back together and trying to sort out where to start with front end adjustments and brake settings. She's an early '28 Sport Coupe with the equalizer brakes. I found a good thread's on the proceedures of setting up each section, I just don't know what one to do first? My thought is A-check to make sure front axel and radius is true (it "looks good" but I haven't measured it), B-the set up camber/caster (which one should I do first), C-then the brakes last. But any other opinions would be appreciated. Also are there any other adjustments I can/should make. As she sits on the jack stands (jack stands under axels) I can't get enough adjustment to make the front passengers side brake rod connect without actuating the brake a little, so that's why I think I should check everything else first.

[Farrell In Vancouver]

Id check for a bent axle, and make sure the brake rods are of equal length.
Frame is straight? no sag?

[Pinesdune]

Originally Posted by Farrell In Vancouver

Id check for a bent axle, and make sure the brake rods are of equal length.
Frame is straight? no sag?

[emoji33] I never thought about the frame, now you've got me worried. I'll check measurements. The rods are the same length, and a quick tape from the bell housing radius rod bolts to the spindles on each side yields the same measurement. One thing I thought I'd try is to swap the front and rear rods, just to see if they're on back to front. The front brakes are dragging to much as well so I have to arc the shoes better, that may help.


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[Pinesdune]

Found my problem area, caster is wrong either a bent front axel or radius (sigh [emoji53]) passengers side is worse than drivers, hence the rod not lining up. Might be a while before I need the answer to my questions as to what to adjust first..., still have to check frame, but I temporarily bolted the body on last weekend and those bolts lined up perfect no fuss.


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[Bob C]

If the frame is sagging at the rear engine mount that will affect the caster.

Bob

[Farrell In Vancouver]

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Do you own a long level? If so you can place it on the bottom of each frame rail near the rear engine mounts to see how flat or sagged she might be.

[Deny1950]

Hi any peace of sheared steel makes a good strait edge

[Pinesdune]

Originally Posted by Bob C

If the frame is sagging at the rear engine mount that will affect the caster.

Bob

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, there is a bit of frame sag, more on the passengers side than the drivers, though I'll know better as to how much later today. I have the car up on stands and I can't get my straight edge on the frame very well.

I inspected the front end close and found one spring perch didn't look the same as the other...

So I searched the forum and found lots of info on how the axels always get bent (I had no idea they were that soft) so I spent the day pulling the axel apart and found this...


The bend in the axel was almost perfect , that's why I thought it was supposed to be there, but after phoning George Moirs in Alberta I found my axel was a tad more than a bit out of whack. I've pressed her straight and today's job is to check kingpin and caster angles and see if they're within spec or if I'm taking it to a frame shop to get it right.


Once I get it back together I'll check the frame closer once I can move the jack stands. I assumed there would have been a caster adjustment built into the car somewhere, I didn't realize this was "fixed", hence my question of what to adjust first. I'll keep you posted on what I find as I go. Thanks guys.


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[Tom Wesenberg]

What I'm seeing in your pictures sure isn't Model A. Glad you found the problem though.

[Pinesdune]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

What I'm seeing in your pictures sure isn't Model A. Glad you found the problem though.

It is Ford tho, if it's not A what have I got?, after checking the degrees at the kingpins I now have 4 degrees caster on the drivers side and 3 on the passengers, I'll try and tweek the passengers a bit more.


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[Bob C]

I think Tom's talking about the VW front end.

Bob

[Pinesdune]

Originally Posted by Bob C

I think Tom's talking about the VW front end.

Bob

Oh god I'm slow this morning [emoji42] lol, I need another coffee


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[Pinesdune]

Got the front end back together and everything lines up/looks way better. The brake rod is still short, but whatever bent the axel also put a twist in the perch bolt (which is original) so I dug through the parts that came with my car and found an inch longer brake rod to reach the lever. I'll look for a replacement bolt. I checked the frame for sag as mentioned above and can't see any.

I did finish getting the car set up today and my son and I had a little fun, stress little, it was -30 today, might be a while before we head out for a longer voyage

https://vimeo.com/151341042


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[Farrell In Vancouver]

Glad you found the bend, When we built Dad's Tudor we had three axles to pick from and they were all bent worse than yours. Its amazing how well some of them drive even with a badly bent axle. Having the axle bend instead of smashing the bell housing must have been one of the first "crush zones" intentionally built in or not.
Hows the weather in Manitoba? Its nice to be from there, but warmer to be here!

[Pinesdune]

Originally Posted by Farrell In Vancouver

Glad you found the bend, When we built Dad's Tudor we had three axles to pick from and they were all bent worse than yours. Its amazing how well some of them drive even with a badly bent axle. Having the axle bend instead of smashing the bell housing must have been one of the first "crush zones" intentionally built in or not.
Hows the weather in Manitoba? Its nice to be from there, but warmer to be here!

Well thank you very much for your help, I was a little amazed just how easy it was to straighten the axel on my press. Checking over and setting up the front end was the last major mechanical job to do with my car and I was very shocked to find the axel bent. I believe it is much nicer out there lol. It was -30 yesterday, colder if you factor in the wind chill. All the same I was crazy enough to pull the car out and go for her first drive this morning. Everything went and felt great, it all worked as is should, everything felt right as I worked my way through the gears, tested the brakes, and the steering was tight. It was only a three mile run, but I think I need a warmer day to head out longer. It was a real blast tho, I'm still smiling [emoji2]

https://vimeo.com/151434000

PS the backfires were because I had to adjust the gav to suit the temps


Saving iron from the scrap pile one piece at a time

[Farrell In Vancouver]

Looks like fun!