The Ford Barn

TMarsh · 03-15-2023, 10:06 PM

Have 4000 miles on my coupe with no brake adjustment since everything rebuilt by me. Originally had 3/4 pedal travel, now have about one half pedal. Stops good and straight, cast iron drums, no overheat. Should I adjust them now are just keep on driving until the pedal gets lower?

Marshall V. Daut · 03-15-2023, 10:17 PM

Try adjusting the wedges in one or two clicks all around and see how that works. If the car pulls to one side afterward, back that side (usually the front) off one click or tighten the other side one click. 'Costs nothing and takes all of one minute to do all four backing plates. Brakes shoes wear from use and it's up to you to make adjustments to compensate for that.
Marshall

nkaminar · 03-16-2023, 06:38 AM

Once the brakes are adjusted correctly and the car stops without pulling to one side, regular maintenance is just to adjust each brake the same amount. Start with one click all around. If that is not enough, add one more click. Make sure the adjustments settle into the clicked position correctly and not between clicks.

WHN · 03-16-2023, 06:54 AM

4,000 miles is perfect timing for adjusting your set of completely rebuilt brakes.

The two posts above cover it all. Follow them.

Enjoy.

Marshall V. Daut · 03-16-2023, 10:54 AM

Yes, "nkaminar" brings up a good point. It's possible when adjusting the brake wedges to land on a high spot on the wedge instead of in one its grooves. That will often either lock the brake shoe against the drum or give a false setting as being too tight. When you think you have reached the point where fairly heavy resistance is felt when test spinning the wheel, wiggle the adjusting wrench back and forth to ensure the brake shoe adjusting shaft's tip is resting in one of the wedge's grooves. You might surprised to find afterwards that you can adjust even tighter.
Marshall

Gene F · 03-16-2023, 11:14 AM

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The first adjustment tends to come a bit sooner no matter how excelent the brake job is. I guess the shoe material needs to season a bit.

03-15-2023, 10:06 PM	#1
TMarsh Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 131	Brakes Have 4000 miles on my coupe with no brake adjustment since everything rebuilt by me. Originally had 3/4 pedal travel, now have about one half pedal. Stops good and straight, cast iron drums, no overheat. Should I adjust them now are just keep on driving until the pedal gets lower?

03-15-2023, 10:17 PM	#2
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,112	Re: Brakes Try adjusting the wedges in one or two clicks all around and see how that works. If the car pulls to one side afterward, back that side (usually the front) off one click or tighten the other side one click. 'Costs nothing and takes all of one minute to do all four backing plates. Brakes shoes wear from use and it's up to you to make adjustments to compensate for that. Marshall

03-16-2023, 06:38 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Brakes Once the brakes are adjusted correctly and the car stops without pulling to one side, regular maintenance is just to adjust each brake the same amount. Start with one click all around. If that is not enough, add one more click. Make sure the adjustments settle into the clicked position correctly and not between clicks. __________________ 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.

03-16-2023, 06:54 AM	#4
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: Brakes 4,000 miles is perfect timing for adjusting your set of completely rebuilt brakes. The two posts above cover it all. Follow them. Enjoy.

03-16-2023, 10:54 AM	#5
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,112	Re: Brakes Yes, "nkaminar" brings up a good point. It's possible when adjusting the brake wedges to land on a high spot on the wedge instead of in one its grooves. That will often either lock the brake shoe against the drum or give a false setting as being too tight. When you think you have reached the point where fairly heavy resistance is felt when test spinning the wheel, wiggle the adjusting wrench back and forth to ensure the brake shoe adjusting shaft's tip is resting in one of the wedge's grooves. You might surprised to find afterwards that you can adjust even tighter. Marshall Last edited by Marshall V. Daut; 03-16-2023 at 11:02 AM.

03-16-2023, 11:14 AM	#6
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: Brakes Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The first adjustment tends to come a bit sooner no matter how excelent the brake job is. I guess the shoe material needs to season a bit.