Brake service

[Kajtek1]

1922 model T and forum search found lot about clutch bands adjustment, but nothing about brake band work.
I drove my T less than 100 miles since the purchase, yet seem the brakes are getting weak and the pedal goes closer to the floor.
I drive in city traffic so brakes are important.
How much I can adjust them and when it is time for new liner?

[J Franklin]

You can adjust until the band lining is to the rivets. The trick to driving the T is to drive as if you really had no brakes. You need to keep a lot of space between your car and any needed stop. Let the engine do most of the braking. You can also use any of the pedals to help slow things on a long hill descent. On long hills lift your foot off the pedal momentarily to allow oil to cool the lining. If you need to reline the band look for a kevlar inning kit and don't use steel rivets. Buy a few good T books and make sure you get an owners manual!

[Kajtek1]

Found youtube video about adjusting gear band, but no brake.
Is brake the other band under the cover?
What it takes to replace?

[J Franklin]

Run the 6 screws out and remove the band cover. Look at the bands and press the different pedals to see what pedal works what band. You will also see the ways the bands are adjusted. Order an Owners manual, and T Ford Service book tonight. You won't be sorry!

[A bones]

Avoid heavy traffic. I' m serious.

When you find that it is time to reline the bands there are a few tools to make it an easier job. ( yes you want kevlar )

When working in the trans,,, unhook the battery if you have one.

The books will tell the how to. ( My Grand mom used to do it )

Authors to find, Ford, Ray Fahnstock, Ted Aschman.

[stevests]

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I would NOT recommend Kevlar linings to any "novice" Model T operator !

[Kajtek1]

Originally Posted by A bones

Avoid heavy traffic. I' m serious.
.

It is not much car traffic as stop lights. I drive the T 10 miles on Sundays to church.
I think I have about 100 stop lights on the route and when they change to red 50 ft in front of me, I have to use brakes hard.
I know how to predict traffic, but it all has its limit.
So I understand that adjusting the brake is like adjusting the clutches under the cover.
Now in case I have to replace the liner, is it involving taking engine apart?

[J Franklin]

At the worse it requires removing the hogshead. Get yourself a service manual.
I'm not sure what the bias against kevlar is but I have driven with both, and saw no difference how things worked or drove.

[A bones]

Have you tried relying on the parking lever, and or the reverse band? In emergency the reverse pedal will work, but use it gingerly and only if the brake fails.

Are you the only T driver in Vegas? The demo by another SENSIBLY EDUCATED operator, would be valuable.

Read the books.

[Kajtek1]

I've been thinking about using parking brake for vehicle stopping, especially since I have new, lined brake shoes, but the level goes pretty low under dashboard and it is hard to reach during driving.
Anybody tired that?
I know nothing about other T owners in Las Vegas, but I am pretty mechanically inclined, so operating is not my issue. Short life of brake band might be.
Thanks for emergency tips.

[A bones]

Longevity is the reason to use Kevlar band lining. One important thing that I learned about
the slow speed band is that, unlike a clutch they don't last long if slipped.
The prescription that works best is to firmly depress the the slow pedal at the same moment you pull down on the gas valve. When properly done the band does not suffer much heat build up, if the drum is clamped before the ( engine ) speed rises.

The brake lever should be adjusted to be in easy reach.
Any luck finding books?

[Kajtek1]

Originally Posted by A bones

Any luck finding books?

I did buy the manual shortly after buying the T, but I am 1 of those "know it all" guys and reading manual is at the bottom of my list.
Exception are digital manuals, as I am taking laptop to my Whirlpool and spending 1 hr in it, have lot of time to read.
Paper and Whirlpool don't work well together.
I am also visual guy and reading text with no pictures doesn't work well for me.
Loved the youtube video on adjusting gear bands, but did not find 1 for the brake.

[J Franklin]

What exactly do you need to know about adjusting the brake band? It is fairly self evident.

[A bones]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

What exactly do you need to know about adjusting the brake band? It is fairly self evident.

He can't learn by reading. He'll need a demo.