The Ford Barn

29 model-a · 10-22-2012, 04:52 PM

How do I get the play out of the front brake? I've relined the shoes and cleaned all the parts. It seems like the rod that goes up and down is to short. Any help would be great. Thanks Pete

goodoldvic · 10-22-2012, 05:03 PM

You might need some brake operating rod shims or "pills" these will increse the length of the rod and decrease free play. You want to have the brake rod arm tilted foward like 15 degrees with the slack taken up.

goodoldvic · 10-22-2012, 05:07 PM

Just an aside to you question, when I did the king pins and front brakes on my car the pins had been brazed on one end to increase their length. I saved em for the heck of it.

160B · 10-22-2012, 05:16 PM

There are a lot of components that need attention to complete a brake job, other than relining the shoes. I highly recommend that you obtain the Les Andrews Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol 1. This will cover all the elements, just to name a few

1. repairing the roller tracks
2. centering the brake shoes
3. adjusting the brake rod lengths
4. repairing brake rod ends to eliminate slop in the clevis pins
5. adjusting the brakes properly
6. setting the front brake levers at the correct rest position
7. rebushing the front brake actuating shafts
8. rebuilding the service brake cross shaft

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 10-22-2012, 05:34 PM

Pete, remove the operating pin from inside the Spindle Bolt (King Pin) and measure it accurately and see if it is 7.250" (7¼") long. If not, braze/weld a small amount onto the end and grind it down until it is exactly 7¼" long. Then figure out what else is wrong and repair that next until all the "play" is removed. Using too long of a pin runs the risk of pushing the wedge down too far during a panic stop where it will stick in that position. This has caused the brake shoes to be wedged against the drum where it took a torch to cut away the drum before the vehicle could be rolled again.

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29 model-a · 10-22-2012, 06:22 PM

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Thanks for all the great info, I'll remove the pins and check them first. All the rods and ends are new. Just a lot of free play at the lever. Thanks again Pete

10-22-2012, 04:52 PM	#1
29 model-a Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Iron River Wi Posts: 172	Play in front brakes? How do I get the play out of the front brake? I've relined the shoes and cleaned all the parts. It seems like the rod that goes up and down is to short. Any help would be great. Thanks Pete

10-22-2012, 05:03 PM	#2
goodoldvic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New Jersey shore Posts: 257	Re: Play in front brakes? You might need some brake operating rod shims or "pills" these will increse the length of the rod and decrease free play. You want to have the brake rod arm tilted foward like 15 degrees with the slack taken up.

10-22-2012, 05:07 PM	#3
goodoldvic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New Jersey shore Posts: 257	Re: Play in front brakes? Just an aside to you question, when I did the king pins and front brakes on my car the pins had been brazed on one end to increase their length. I saved em for the heck of it.

10-22-2012, 05:16 PM	#4
160B Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 1,498	Re: Play in front brakes? There are a lot of components that need attention to complete a brake job, other than relining the shoes. I highly recommend that you obtain the Les Andrews Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol 1. This will cover all the elements, just to name a few 1. repairing the roller tracks 2. centering the brake shoes 3. adjusting the brake rod lengths 4. repairing brake rod ends to eliminate slop in the clevis pins 5. adjusting the brakes properly 6. setting the front brake levers at the correct rest position 7. rebushing the front brake actuating shafts 8. rebuilding the service brake cross shaft

10-22-2012, 05:34 PM	#5
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,513	Re: Play in front brakes? Pete, remove the operating pin from inside the Spindle Bolt (King Pin) and measure it accurately and see if it is 7.250" (7¼") long. If not, braze/weld a small amount onto the end and grind it down until it is exactly 7¼" long. Then figure out what else is wrong and repair that next until all the "play" is removed. Using too long of a pin runs the risk of pushing the wedge down too far during a panic stop where it will stick in that position. This has caused the brake shoes to be wedged against the drum where it took a torch to cut away the drum before the vehicle could be rolled again. . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

10-22-2012, 06:22 PM	#6
29 model-a Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Iron River Wi Posts: 172	Re: Play in front brakes? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for all the great info, I'll remove the pins and check them first. All the rods and ends are new. Just a lot of free play at the lever. Thanks again Pete