|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
04-28-2021, 06:32 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: East Sandwich, MA
Posts: 62
|
Brake Roller Tracks
Hello all. I’m in the middle of rebuilding my brakes and need to figure out what to do with the roller tracks. The previous owner had done the brakes not too long before I bought it but it looked to be a half a$$ed job and they were not safe. 2 of the roller tracks have been welded, 1 has been replaced and 1 is worn and in need of repair or replacement. Do most folks repair or replace ? I’m tempted to replace them all so I know that they are right but I don’t have a torch to heat the rivets. Thoughts and opinions appreciated !
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
04-28-2021, 07:20 PM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: auckland;new zealand
Posts: 53
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
I recently replaced the tracks on my Town sedans brakes...I don't have a torch so hammered the rivets cold...make sure you have the riveting tool and ....a solid support base....plus a heavy hammer.
Vic |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
04-28-2021, 07:33 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PASADENA, CA
Posts: 1,882
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
I have replaced them and also have welded them with good success.
I have Heli-Arc and also can machine the track to re-establish the original surface at the correct dimension. I would not recommend welding unless you have the proper equipment. My opinion, Chris W. |
04-28-2021, 07:37 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: St Charles , Missouri
Posts: 1,994
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
I weld and machine them to specs. In my opinion it is the quickest and is the best method as well as most cost effective.
I have seen backing plates that have had the tracks replaced and the tracks were loose and the plates not straight. The original riveting was very good. Make your choice depending on your capabilities and skill level. A comprehensive brake job includes full mechanical rebuilding including all bushings, shafts, tracks, levers and pin It’s a much bigger job than most think on a Model A but when done properly they are great brakes. As I said above you can fix them by welding and machining or grinding to specs . I use a template guide from the original pins for rear at 1 inch and fronts 1 5/16 and you can use a smaller heavy cutoff wheel to grind the flat for those that might not be able to use a mill . It must be level and accurate. With assemblies together with shoes and installed you can check your work and the assembly with a centering gauge . Admittedly I use Krw gauges but the dealers also sell centering gauges or your club tool crib if you have access to one may have them available as well. Happy rebuilding ! Larry Shepard |
04-28-2021, 10:03 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 601
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
I recently replaced all 4 roller tracks on my car. After grinding the original rivet heads off to remove the old tracks, I used a MAPP torch to heat the new rivets and a 16 oz preening hammer to complete the rivet. I did grind about 1/8” off the new rivets first. It worked out quite well.
Last edited by Conaway2; 04-29-2021 at 07:50 AM. |
04-29-2021, 08:12 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,486
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
It is my opinion that most hobbyists do not have the ability to be able to match that critical tolerance. FWIW, -Ford did not allow his Agency mechanics to change out the Centering Bracket during brake work simply because they could not hit the correct location either. Chances are that if they could not do it, most restorers today cannot do it either. Unless you have the proper fixturing to be able to correctly locate the bracket, you can miss it by 0.020-0.030 when the size of the rivet shank and the hole in the housing plate are all factored in. This causes shoes to be located incorrectly in the parabolic shape of the brake drum. Unless you can make sure the centering plate (track) is properly located, and the head of the pin is the proper size, then you are not going to have braking ability as these were original designed to have. |
04-29-2021, 08:38 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,432
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
The solution to making the brake shoes center is Flathead Ted's brake floaters.
__________________
Bob Bidonde |
04-29-2021, 09:37 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,820
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
One advantage of owning a Model A, as opposed to another brand like a Nash or Hudson, is the availability of new parts. That is assuming the new parts are good quality. The average owner is not going to own a machine shop to rebuild parts and taking the parts to an outside machine shop would be more expensive than the new parts.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
04-29-2021, 11:21 AM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,486
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
Quote:
I agree that the average Model-A owner today is not going to own a machine shop however the average Model-A owner is not capable of doing restoration work. Brutal, but factual. It used to be that many Model-A restorers had some type of of small lathe and/or mill in their garage, -or at least access to one at their workplace. Also, in most local Model-A clubs, there were at least a couple of guys that had access to machining equipment to help the ones in the club that didn't. It is different today. One other thing that should be factored in on this. Most larger Model-A dealers offer a service to have brake housing (backing) plates rebuilt. I'm sure Larry offers this service and so do I. My point is know what your limitations are, but don't just half-#$$ do the job when that task can be properly done. Bob, I will say this tongue-in-cheek to your comment about F/H Ted's kit, ...yeah, I can put 50 wt oil in a crankcase and make a Main Bearing knock go away. Doesn't mean I truly fixed it, -it just means I think I fixed it! |
|
04-29-2021, 11:44 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,820
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
B. Terry, All true. The previous owner of my Fordor bought rebuilt front brake assemblies, including the shoes, backing plates, roller tracks, etc. A very nice job. All that he need to do was bolt on the new assemblies, hook up the brake rods, and adjust the brakes. I wish he had done the same with the rears. They are OK but not 100%.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
04-29-2021, 04:58 PM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,542
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
Quote:
|
|
04-29-2021, 11:27 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PASADENA, CA
Posts: 1,882
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
Quote:
Chris W. |
|
04-30-2021, 08:52 AM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,486
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
Quote:
Well, I didn't say that ....however I do suppose that is a possibility! |
|
05-01-2021, 10:22 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,542
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
do you think in a parallel universe somewhere, someone would make a removable bracket that somehow aligns the roller piece in its correct position vis a vis the backing plate and then we would proceed to riveting? Or I suppose you have already done that.....
|
05-01-2021, 10:49 AM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,486
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
Quote:
So reading between your lines and stepping further, if someone takes the time to secure a copy of the original A-2011 and A-2015 prints, the measurements can be taken off of those prints and a fixture can be made accordingly. Now the irony is, you need to make your jig based on which A-2017 centering plate you will be using as I have found dimensional differences between them. My 2 cents is the issue for most people is that is a lot of work to go thru just to do one set of plates however they are also too 'frugal' to have someone professionally do the job correctly. Therefore they settle for less quality of braking. |
|
05-02-2021, 08:32 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Saint Cloud Mn
Posts: 745
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
I have replaced the tracks by squeezing the rivets in a press. First you need nice clean holes in the backing plate and correct size rivets. Driving rivets can cause them to move. Put every thing in a press and heat the rivet tail then quickly set them.. my “A” stops nicely.
|
05-03-2021, 10:13 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Western MT
Posts: 218
|
Re: Brake Roller Tracks
The heads of the rivets is not the best place for measuring the distance of the working surface of the roller track from. Ideally, it should be taken from the center of the big backing plate hole. I made a fixture to hold the backing plates in a mill vise and machine the previously welded up ears square and parallel. If you do only one, a lot of work, as I do a fair number, it was worth while getting it set up.
Mark
__________________
Mark in MT Always looking for another opportunity to be wrong. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|