Taking a break for some brakes.

[denniskliesen]

I rebuilt the backing plates and related parts myself but I got Randy's drums and shoes matched. Right out of my trunk and in the garage I cleaned up the drums and painted them VHT black. Over 500 miles they look like the day I put them on and work the same, never have adjusted them since then. And believe me it stops great.

I found Randy Gross after reading about his brakes here on Ford Barn. Randy is very helpful regarding everything brakes. He also has much more in other parts besides brakes, I've been to his shop, gotten a tour and seen his work in progress. Randy is first class in my book and highly recommended.

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

oooh pretty,Why arent they on your car yet? Now go go go so you can stop stop stop!

With Easter weekend upon us and family showing up any minute, it will take a few days to get after it.

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by denniskliesen

I rebuilt the backing plates and related parts myself but I got Randy's drums and shoes matched. Right out of my trunk and in the garage I cleaned up the drums and painted them VHT black. Over 500 miles they look like the day I put them on and work the same, never have adjusted them since then. And believe me it stops great.

Did you send him your hubs?

[Art Newland]

Probably should've bought the cutter tool and removed my old drums before shipping, that would've saved some shipping cost.

[Art Newland]

Looks like total, all up, I've spent $1568 bucks.

[1955cj5]

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I'm planning on taking my drums and hubs off this weekend and shipping them to Randy next week..

What is the tool for separating the drums from the hubs and how difficult is it?

[Mitch//pa]

You can use a metal hole saw...
As long as it fits around the stud circumference it will cut the swedge

Then tap it apart wih a hammer

[1955cj5]

Thanks Mitch...that doesn't sound too tough......I'll look at it when I get it apart...

[30 Tudor]

Originally Posted by 1955cj5

I'm planning on taking my drums and hubs off this weekend and shipping them to Randy next week..

What is the tool for separating the drums from the hubs and how difficult is it?

I just got done with mine, I'll ship it if you like.

[denniskliesen]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

Did you send him your hubs?

Randy's shop is about 45 minute drive from my home, so I drove up and dropped them off. Later that morning he called me and said they are ready.

[denniskliesen]

If you have the original stamped steel drums, there is a big difference in weight going to the cast iron drums. Big advantage to cast drums and Randy's shoes are brake fade. I plan on going on a tour with a chapter I belong to up in the mountains, Mt. Baldy, in a couple weeks. I have never driven my A with the old original drums and shoes so I won't be able to tell the difference but I'll have the confidence my brakes will get me back down the mountain if I need them.

[1955cj5]

Originally Posted by 30 Tudor

I just got done with mine, I'll ship it if you like.

Thanks for the offer.....PM sent....

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by denniskliesen

Randy's shop is about 45 minute drive from my home, so I drove up and dropped them off. Later that morning he called me and said they are ready.

Dennis,

It sure pays off living in So. Cal. in this case. I live about an hour away, depending on traffic on the I-10, so it will be easy for me as well, when I get to the point where I need new brakes.

David Serrano

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

You can use a metal hole saw...
As long as it fits around the stud circumference it will cut the swedge

Then tap it apart with a hammer

Is there a hole saw that doesn't use a mandril that would work for this?

Snyder's sells a swedge cutting tool that is suppose to do the job, but at $100 a pop, seems like the freight would be less and just let Randy do the job.

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by denniskliesen

If you have the original stamped steel drums, there is a big difference in weight going to the cast iron drums. Big advantage to cast drums and Randy's shoes are brake fade. I plan on going on a tour with a chapter I belong to up in the mountains, Mt. Baldy, in a couple weeks. I have never driven my A with the old original drums and shoes so I won't be able to tell the difference but I'll have the confidence my brakes will get me back down the mountain if I need them.

Looks like on average the packages returning to me were 4-5 pounds heavier than what I sent. I had about $150 in parts that normally wouldn't need to be replaced... one front hub and one of the emergency brake carriers.

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by CarlG

Is there a hole saw that doesn't use a mandril that would work for this?

Snyder's sells a swedge cutting tool that is suppose to do the job, but at $100 a pop, seems like the freight would be less and just let Randy do the job.

That was my feeling too.

[denniskliesen]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

Dennis,

It sure pays off living in So. Cal. in this case. I live about an hour away, depending on traffic on the I-10, so it will be easy for me as well, when I get to the point where I need new brakes.

David Serrano

David,

Even if I lived as far south as San Diego or north to Bakersfield or beyond I'd haul them down myself. Drop them off with Randy early in the morning and go to a museum or something while you wait. Plan ahead and Randy will work with you. I think he will exchange hubs, backing plates etc as I remember he has rebuilt parts ready to go.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by denniskliesen

If you have the original stamped steel drums, there is a big difference in weight going to the cast iron drums. Big advantage to cast drums and Randy's shoes are brake fade. I plan on going on a tour with a chapter I belong to up in the mountains, Mt. Baldy, in a couple weeks. I have never driven my A with the old original drums and shoes so I won't be able to tell the difference but I'll have the confidence my brakes will get me back down the mountain if I need them.

You may have missed some excitement.
When I test drove a woman's Model A in St. Paul, I was headed down a long steep hill, and knew half way down that we were in trouble, and would have to glide through the red light at the bottom of the hill. Luckily no cars were coming, and no cop saw what happened. She sold the car rather than fix the brakes.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

I spent nearly $280 in shipping

I hate shipping big heavy stuff...

Whoa!
For that much money I'd have driven to Randy's.

[denniskliesen]

I'm past those days of that much excitement! After spending as much money as I had on the engine and electrical, it just wasn't worth taking the chance with bad brakes. Seeing how they looked from the outside with bent up rods broken or missing anti rattle springs and original steel drums along with fellow Model A friends advice I feel I certainly made the right decision. After I got them all off and apart they were half assed in several other ways. Well worth the money spent doing them properly and the piece of mind. Now if only my cheap tires had some traction as the brakes I can lock them up if I want, but it doesn't help getting stopped when you do that.