The Ford Barn

vernlee · 12-23-2021, 08:18 PM

I'm putting 1940 brakes on the rear of my Model A , I ordered new 40 axle bearings , but they seem too loose to me , I can slide the bearing on the model a axle super easy and it has slop , it slides 1/2 way into the hub then stops , I'm sure I can press it all the way in . Does all this seem normal ? do they make different bearings for the 1940 ?

Vern

daveymc29 · 12-23-2021, 08:29 PM

Doesn't sound good to me. I have the 39 brakes front and rear on my 29 Roadster and have no problems after about 30 years. The bearings slide into my rear hubs and a large snap ring holds them in place just as was the case with the stock drums. Fronts are just like the A brake except the drums are cast iron, as are the rear,

Model A Ron · 12-24-2021, 12:04 AM

What's wrong with the original mechanical brakes? When adjusted right they work great.

MAG · 12-24-2021, 11:52 AM

"What's wrong with the original mechanical brakes?"
Here is what is wrong with them:
Time will not be spent to learn how they work
Time will not be spent in learning how to properly rebuild them.
Effort will not be spent to obtain necessary parts.
Time will not be spent to do the work properly.
Help will not be solicited if a question occurs.
Listen to horror stories about their inadequacies.
The list goes on.

"When adjusted right they work great." Right on!!!

Jim Brierley · 12-24-2021, 12:56 PM

MAG, well said!

HD Rider · 12-24-2021, 01:11 PM

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If I remember correctly there are different sizes available.

vernlee · 12-24-2021, 03:16 PM

Model A Ron , MAG , Jim Brierley , thank you so much for your thoughtful advise on my bearing question .

Miles in MN · 12-24-2021, 06:23 PM

Sorry for the misleading post.

vernlee · 12-24-2021, 06:36 PM

Miles in MN , I'm actually seeing just the opposite , the bearing # 68-1225-A is loose on the A axle and tight going in the 40 hub .

nkaminar · 12-24-2021, 06:52 PM

Vern, you may want to post this question to the Early V8 and Rods and Customs forums. They may have more knowledge about mixing 40 hubs on 31 axles.

My first Model A (60 years ago) had 48 brakes and they worked well. My present car came with the stock brakes and I studied up and got them to work well too. Lots of effort but worth it in the long run.

Where are you located?

vernlee · 12-24-2021, 07:37 PM

Located in Southern Michigan

P_Moore · 05-23-2023, 11:37 PM

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bobbader · 05-24-2023, 08:58 PM

Are both new bearings tight going into both rear hubs? If so, it might suggest a problem with the new bearings. As far as the bearing being sloppy going over the "A" axle housing, you need to realize that the bearing rollers bridge the gap between the inside diameter of the hub and the outside diameter of the axle housing. So, only using one of those dimensions for fit doesn't mean much compared to how the bearing "rides" when the parts are all assembled together.

12-23-2021, 08:18 PM	#1
vernlee Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 77	40 brakes on my 31 A I'm putting 1940 brakes on the rear of my Model A , I ordered new 40 axle bearings , but they seem too loose to me , I can slide the bearing on the model a axle super easy and it has slop , it slides 1/2 way into the hub then stops , I'm sure I can press it all the way in . Does all this seem normal ? do they make different bearings for the 1940 ? Vern

12-23-2021, 08:29 PM	#2
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,554	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Doesn't sound good to me. I have the 39 brakes front and rear on my 29 Roadster and have no problems after about 30 years. The bearings slide into my rear hubs and a large snap ring holds them in place just as was the case with the stock drums. Fronts are just like the A brake except the drums are cast iron, as are the rear,

12-24-2021, 12:04 AM	#3
Model A Ron Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Troutman, NC Posts: 717	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A What's wrong with the original mechanical brakes? When adjusted right they work great.

12-24-2021, 11:52 AM	#4
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A "What's wrong with the original mechanical brakes?" Here is what is wrong with them: Time will not be spent to learn how they work Time will not be spent in learning how to properly rebuild them. Effort will not be spent to obtain necessary parts. Time will not be spent to do the work properly. Help will not be solicited if a question occurs. Listen to horror stories about their inadequacies. The list goes on. "When adjusted right they work great." Right on!!! __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

12-24-2021, 12:56 PM	#5
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,088	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A MAG, well said!

12-24-2021, 01:11 PM	#6
HD Rider Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Glendive MT Posts: 155	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If I remember correctly there are different sizes available.

12-24-2021, 03:16 PM	#7
vernlee Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 77	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Model A Ron , MAG , Jim Brierley , thank you so much for your thoughtful advise on my bearing question .

12-24-2021, 06:23 PM	#8
Miles in MN Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 45	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Sorry for the misleading post. Last edited by Miles in MN; 12-26-2021 at 07:36 PM. Reason: Incorrect information

12-24-2021, 06:36 PM	#9
vernlee Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 77	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Miles in MN , I'm actually seeing just the opposite , the bearing # 68-1225-A is loose on the A axle and tight going in the 40 hub .

12-24-2021, 06:52 PM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Vern, you may want to post this question to the Early V8 and Rods and Customs forums. They may have more knowledge about mixing 40 hubs on 31 axles. My first Model A (60 years ago) had 48 brakes and they worked well. My present car came with the stock brakes and I studied up and got them to work well too. Lots of effort but worth it in the long run. Where are you located? __________________ 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.

12-24-2021, 07:37 PM	#11
vernlee Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 77	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Located in Southern Michigan

05-23-2023, 11:37 PM	#12
P_Moore Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Posts: 10	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Follow

05-24-2023, 08:58 PM	#13
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 271	Re: 40 brakes on my 31 A Are both new bearings tight going into both rear hubs? If so, it might suggest a problem with the new bearings. As far as the bearing being sloppy going over the "A" axle housing, you need to realize that the bearing rollers bridge the gap between the inside diameter of the hub and the outside diameter of the axle housing. So, only using one of those dimensions for fit doesn't mean much compared to how the bearing "rides" when the parts are all assembled together.