The Ford Barn

d.j. moordigian · 09-25-2010, 04:34 PM

I thought there was a thread on straightening brake rods but couldn't
find it. So, any thoughts, hot , cold ?

Thanks, Dudley

wrndln · 09-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Dudley,
I have never straightened brake rods but I have straighten other things. I think you should do it cold as the rod are only about 1/4" in diameter and should straighten fairly easily. I think you would need to make a set of dies that have a half round 1/4" channel in each of them (or what ever the diameter is of the rods is) and use them to protect the rods from hammer marks, unless you do care if there are a few flat spots in the rods. If you did do it by just hammering the rods straight, you could always use a little filler to fill the hammer marks.
Rusty Nelson

Tom Wesenberg · 09-25-2010, 10:49 PM

Just clamp the rods in the vise and pull them straight. Pull a little then sight down the rod to find the bend and pull some more. It's easy and doesn't take long to straighten them.

glenn in camino · 09-25-2010, 11:10 PM

I just finished mine recently, I had the clevis holes welded up and I redrilled them to the proper size. I straightened them cold using my vise and a good eye.

popcorn-guy · 09-25-2010, 11:21 PM

Push comes to shove. Just make new ones. Get the proper size steel rods, cut and thread them to size. I've been advised by fellows who restore A's for a living that making new ones is faster and less frustrating. Something to consider and they don't cost that much. Adjusting the brakes properly will aide in not bending them once again. It's a problem that has existed since there has been mechanical brakes. Especially when you add vacuum assist and put to much assist to the system.

Mike V. Florida · 09-25-2010, 11:31 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by popcorn-guy

Push comes to shove. Just make new ones. Get the proper size steel rods, cut and thread them to size. I've been advised by fellows who restore A's for a living that making new ones is faster and less frustrating. Something to consider and they don't cost that much. Adjusting the brakes properly will aide in not bending them once again. It's a problem that has existed since there has been mechanical brakes. Especially when you add vacuum assist and put to much assist to the system.

How did they handle the clevis hole, hammer it flat or weld somethig up?

popcorn-guy · 09-25-2010, 11:59 PM

Clevis can be purchased with female threads and put on the rods. My truck has them.

http://www.clevelandcityforge.com/

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-26-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popcorn-guy

Push comes to shove. Just make new ones. Get the proper size steel rods, cut and thread them to size. I've been advised by fellows who restore A's for a living that making new ones is faster and less frustrating . Something to consider and they don't cost that much.

Ok, two other questions. First, I am assuming since there are inexpensive reproduction rods already available that we are talking about making "original appearing" rods. So how do you propose making the 'upset' where the return spring pushes against, ...and how do you roll the threads onto the ends??

.

RockHillWill · 09-26-2010, 08:56 AM

I have heard of folks that to cut / grind off the upset, then cut an original one off an original rod, put it in a lathe, drill a hole in it, slide it back on then weld it back in the original spot. The threads can be reworked my machining the end down to 9/32" diameter and having the correct threads 'rolled' in place. It is more difficult to replicate the form holding upsets at the eye. Just a thought.

howie123 · 09-26-2010, 08:58 AM

I was advised to purchase reproduction rods and I'm glad I did. It saved alot of work. Having said that small diameter rods can be easily straightened using a small arbor press, or even a drill press. Support the rod with V blocks on both sides of the bend, (V blocks can be made from hard wood). If using a drill press just chuck a short peice of round stock in the chuck as an arbor. Apply a little pressure to the high spot and take your time. Should be no problem. If you have a lathe, small bushings can be made and pressed into oversized clevis holes. Holes should be made round by drilling out before fitting bushings. Hope this helps.

d.j. moordigian · 09-26-2010, 01:27 PM

My car is a June 28--November 28 car, it has no adjustable ends, just eyelets on
each end. I will straighten as advised.

Thanks again, Dudley

700rpm · 09-26-2010, 01:38 PM

An old-time body man showed me this method, and it works pretty well: Hold the rod one one end and slap it on a flat surface, like a work table. It will at least get them close enough to do some fine tuning by eye.

09-25-2010, 04:34 PM	#1
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	straightening brake rods I thought there was a thread on straightening brake rods but couldn't find it. So, any thoughts, hot , cold ? Thanks, Dudley

09-25-2010, 07:36 PM	#2
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Re: straightening brake rods Dudley, I have never straightened brake rods but I have straighten other things. I think you should do it cold as the rod are only about 1/4" in diameter and should straighten fairly easily. I think you would need to make a set of dies that have a half round 1/4" channel in each of them (or what ever the diameter is of the rods is) and use them to protect the rods from hammer marks, unless you do care if there are a few flat spots in the rods. If you did do it by just hammering the rods straight, you could always use a little filler to fill the hammer marks. Rusty Nelson

09-25-2010, 10:49 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: straightening brake rods Just clamp the rods in the vise and pull them straight. Pull a little then sight down the rod to find the bend and pull some more. It's easy and doesn't take long to straighten them.

09-25-2010, 11:10 PM	#4
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: straightening brake rods I just finished mine recently, I had the clevis holes welded up and I redrilled them to the proper size. I straightened them cold using my vise and a good eye.

09-25-2010, 11:21 PM	#5
popcorn-guy Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 50	Re: straightening brake rods Push comes to shove. Just make new ones. Get the proper size steel rods, cut and thread them to size. I've been advised by fellows who restore A's for a living that making new ones is faster and less frustrating. Something to consider and they don't cost that much. Adjusting the brakes properly will aide in not bending them once again. It's a problem that has existed since there has been mechanical brakes. Especially when you add vacuum assist and put to much assist to the system.

09-25-2010, 11:59 PM	#7
popcorn-guy Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 50	Re: straightening brake rods Clevis can be purchased with female threads and put on the rods. My truck has them. http://www.clevelandcityforge.com/ Last edited by popcorn-guy; 09-26-2010 at 12:14 AM. Reason: add information

09-26-2010, 08:56 AM	#9
RockHillWill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rock Hill, S.C. Posts: 985	Re: straightening brake rods I have heard of folks that to cut / grind off the upset, then cut an original one off an original rod, put it in a lathe, drill a hole in it, slide it back on then weld it back in the original spot. The threads can be reworked my machining the end down to 9/32" diameter and having the correct threads 'rolled' in place. It is more difficult to replicate the form holding upsets at the eye. Just a thought. __________________ Uncle Bud says "too soon old, too late smart!"

09-26-2010, 08:58 AM	#10
howie123 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 113	Re: straightening brake rods I was advised to purchase reproduction rods and I'm glad I did. It saved alot of work. Having said that small diameter rods can be easily straightened using a small arbor press, or even a drill press. Support the rod with V blocks on both sides of the bend, (V blocks can be made from hard wood). If using a drill press just chuck a short peice of round stock in the chuck as an arbor. Apply a little pressure to the high spot and take your time. Should be no problem. If you have a lathe, small bushings can be made and pressed into oversized clevis holes. Holes should be made round by drilling out before fitting bushings. Hope this helps.

09-26-2010, 01:27 PM	#11
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: straightening brake rods My car is a June 28--November 28 car, it has no adjustable ends, just eyelets on each end. I will straighten as advised. Thanks again, Dudley

09-26-2010, 01:38 PM	#12
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,903	Re: straightening brake rods An old-time body man showed me this method, and it works pretty well: Hold the rod one one end and slap it on a flat surface, like a work table. It will at least get them close enough to do some fine tuning by eye.