The Ford Barn

GregLast · 08-23-2015, 05:56 PM

I've done some reading on the forum and I can't seem to find my particular situation.

When driving, I can stop if I plan ahead, and start slowing down pretty early. I'm not expecting it to stop like a modern car.

When it becomes trouble is if I'm going down a hill, or if I'm going a little fast. I feel the cars brakes grab and squeal intermittently until stopped. If I pump the brakes and don't press down all the way, it will stop without doing this, but I'm being conservative.

I just don't know where to start on this one. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Mitch//pa · 08-23-2015, 06:12 PM

Have you done a complete safety inspection of the entire brake system yet?
a properly restored mechanical brake system will stop on a dime..

GregLast · 08-23-2015, 06:32 PM

I haven't really inspected much at all other than noting the behavior when I'm driving it. I'm not driving it much further that a couple blocks in the neighborhood until I get this stopping the way it's supposed to.

Much like anything else with this car, my grandfather was a knowledgeable Model A mechanic for decades, and I expect that things have been assembled correctly. I also expect them to need a little adjustment as this car has been around the family for a long time. I also wouldn't be surprised if it was time for a few replacements.

I have a pretty limited set of tools, but I have some people I can reach out to for help. What would you look at first?

Thanks

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-23-2015, 07:46 PM

Is it a mechanical system?

Gerald D. Walker · 08-23-2015, 09:06 PM

Cast Iron or Steel drums?

GregLast · 08-23-2015, 11:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

It is a late 31. I believe it has steel drums. It is a mechanical system. No juice brakes. Looking to keep it that way.

JD 1931 · 08-24-2015, 09:57 PM

mine has bonded brake shoes and they squeak most times when braking...

GregLast · 08-24-2015, 10:01 PM

So more information. I haven't had a chance to look at the wheels and get the drums off to look, hopefully doing that tomorrow.

When I stop, there is a point where if I push down hard enough on the pedal, I can feel something shift in the braking system and It's braking really hard (squeaking) and doing so at an interval (so not a constant squeak).

Until I get the brake drums off, I won't really know...but it's fun to guess! Plus, it lets me get thinking in one direction or another.

Thanks everyone

Drive Shaft Dave · 08-24-2015, 10:59 PM

Backing plate bolt's loose?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-25-2015, 12:12 AM

Gregg,
You DIDN'T give us COMPLETE symptoms in your original post ! ALWAYS look for OBVIOUS things, before asking questions, if not, we're just GUESSING, along with you & GUESSING DON'T CUT IT! Sometimes we go through 3 or 4 pages & THEN find out it was just an OLD WORN OUT SYSTEM!!
Do it your way, I'M THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ----(I DELETED MY PREVIOUS POST)
Bill W.

GregLast · 08-25-2015, 08:18 AM

Well, to be fair, I really just clarified what was in the original post, Bill. Bill, I appreciated your original post, and appreciate the message. When I figure out the problem, it's all going to get a good lubrication per your recommendation. Thanks either way.

I didn't mean to frustrate anyone. I have owned this car for about 6 weeks now, and I just don't know about these things. I figured the best thing I can do is ask questions before I just go about taking things apart without having any real idea of where to look. Especially with the braking system, given that it's so many damn parts.

Sorry If I'm wasting you guys time.

GregLast · 08-25-2015, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drive Shaft Dave

Backing plate bolt's loose?

Once I get it up in the air, I'll check them. Thanks.

GregLast · 08-25-2015, 02:29 PM

Ok. Here's where I'm at so far.

Put the car up on 4 jack stands. All wheels are in the air. I started it up and put it in first, and let the car idle, spinning the back wheels. When I apply the foot brake, the wheels in the rear do not stop. This is my first red flag. Before I go attempting to remove the drums, I'm thinking I should check the adjusting wedges for the rear first. Does this sound like a good first move?

Mitch//pa · 08-25-2015, 02:34 PM

pull 4 wheels and check the condition of the brakes and drums..
i stand by my post #2

GregLast · 08-25-2015, 02:38 PM

Will I need a special tool to get the drums off? Car is in the air, and I can do it now as long as I don't need a special tool!

Mitch//pa · 08-25-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregLast

Will I need a special tool to get the drums off? Car is in the air, and I can do it now as long as I don't need a special tool!

yes a puller for the rear drums...the suppliers sell the tool if need be
just a channel locks for the front or an adjustable

GregLast · 08-25-2015, 02:41 PM

cool. I'll at least get the fronts off and inspect them today.

Mitch//pa · 08-25-2015, 02:41 PM

make sure your brake rods are connected to the rear and moving when you push the brake pedal ... there are 4 in total
2 for the e brake and 2 for the service brake

2 rods go to the front also

WestCoast · 08-25-2015, 03:03 PM

yes , you will need a big heavy hub puller, some use the puller that goes on the snout of the rear hub, in my opinion its not tough enough , I use the heavy 3 arm puller, but check out them both and then choose the one that you like, you will be needing a heavy hammer, a 4 or 5 pound one

Mitch//pa · 08-25-2015, 03:13 PM

this is what i use which also work for many other uses....

08-23-2015, 05:56 PM	#1
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. I've done some reading on the forum and I can't seem to find my particular situation. When driving, I can stop if I plan ahead, and start slowing down pretty early. I'm not expecting it to stop like a modern car. When it becomes trouble is if I'm going down a hill, or if I'm going a little fast. I feel the cars brakes grab and squeal intermittently until stopped. If I pump the brakes and don't press down all the way, it will stop without doing this, but I'm being conservative. I just don't know where to start on this one. Can someone point me in the right direction?

08-23-2015, 06:32 PM	#3
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. I haven't really inspected much at all other than noting the behavior when I'm driving it. I'm not driving it much further that a couple blocks in the neighborhood until I get this stopping the way it's supposed to. Much like anything else with this car, my grandfather was a knowledgeable Model A mechanic for decades, and I expect that things have been assembled correctly. I also expect them to need a little adjustment as this car has been around the family for a long time. I also wouldn't be surprised if it was time for a few replacements. I have a pretty limited set of tools, but I have some people I can reach out to for help. What would you look at first? Thanks

08-23-2015, 07:46 PM	#4
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Is it a mechanical system?

08-23-2015, 09:06 PM	#5
Gerald D. Walker Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Georgetown, Texas Posts: 18	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Cast Iron or Steel drums?

08-23-2015, 11:12 PM	#6
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It is a late 31. I believe it has steel drums. It is a mechanical system. No juice brakes. Looking to keep it that way.

08-23-2015, 06:12 PM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Have you done a complete safety inspection of the entire brake system yet? a properly restored mechanical brake system will stop on a dime..

08-24-2015, 09:57 PM	#7
JD 1931 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: west coast Fla.. Posts: 311	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. mine has bonded brake shoes and they squeak most times when braking...

08-24-2015, 10:01 PM	#8
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. So more information. I haven't had a chance to look at the wheels and get the drums off to look, hopefully doing that tomorrow. When I stop, there is a point where if I push down hard enough on the pedal, I can feel something shift in the braking system and It's braking really hard (squeaking) and doing so at an interval (so not a constant squeak). Until I get the brake drums off, I won't really know...but it's fun to guess! Plus, it lets me get thinking in one direction or another. Thanks everyone

08-24-2015, 10:59 PM	#9
Drive Shaft Dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New hope Minnesota Posts: 742	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Backing plate bolt's loose?

08-25-2015, 12:12 AM	#10
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Gregg, You DIDN'T give us COMPLETE symptoms in your original post ! ALWAYS look for OBVIOUS things, before asking questions, if not, we're just GUESSING, along with you & GUESSING DON'T CUT IT! Sometimes we go through 3 or 4 pages & THEN find out it was just an OLD WORN OUT SYSTEM!! Do it your way, I'M THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ----(I DELETED MY PREVIOUS POST) Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 08-25-2015 at 12:39 AM.

08-25-2015, 08:18 AM	#11
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Well, to be fair, I really just clarified what was in the original post, Bill. Bill, I appreciated your original post, and appreciate the message. When I figure out the problem, it's all going to get a good lubrication per your recommendation. Thanks either way. I didn't mean to frustrate anyone. I have owned this car for about 6 weeks now, and I just don't know about these things. I figured the best thing I can do is ask questions before I just go about taking things apart without having any real idea of where to look. Especially with the braking system, given that it's so many damn parts. Sorry If I'm wasting you guys time.

08-25-2015, 02:29 PM	#13
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Ok. Here's where I'm at so far. Put the car up on 4 jack stands. All wheels are in the air. I started it up and put it in first, and let the car idle, spinning the back wheels. When I apply the foot brake, the wheels in the rear do not stop. This is my first red flag. Before I go attempting to remove the drums, I'm thinking I should check the adjusting wedges for the rear first. Does this sound like a good first move?

08-25-2015, 02:34 PM	#14
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. pull 4 wheels and check the condition of the brakes and drums.. i stand by my post #2

08-25-2015, 02:38 PM	#15
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. Will I need a special tool to get the drums off? Car is in the air, and I can do it now as long as I don't need a special tool!

08-25-2015, 02:41 PM	#17
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. cool. I'll at least get the fronts off and inspect them today.

08-25-2015, 03:03 PM	#19
WestCoast Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: oroville calif Posts: 893	Re: Brake question. Can't stop too quickly without squeaking. yes , you will need a big heavy hub puller, some use the puller that goes on the snout of the rear hub, in my opinion its not tough enough , I use the heavy 3 arm puller, but check out them both and then choose the one that you like, you will be needing a heavy hammer, a 4 or 5 pound one Last edited by WestCoast; 08-25-2015 at 08:13 PM.