Brake adjustment - Frustration

Try disconnecting the brake rod at that wheel and pulling the arm as back as far as you can, back off the adjuster a few turns and rap the drum and backing plate with a rubber mallet. Then attach your puller and hopefully it comes off.

Don't get discouraged. It's a hobby :). You'll learn by the experience and you'll get some satisfaction when you find and fix the problem.
 
Dick Steinkamp said:
Try disconnecting the brake rod at that wheel and pulling the arm as back as far as you can, back off the adjuster a few turns and rap the drum and backing plate with a rubber mallet. Then attach your puller and hopefully it comes off.

Don't get discouraged. It's a hobby :). You'll learn by the experience and you'll get some satisfaction when you find and fix the problem.
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Dick, thanks for the encouragement and reminder that it's a hobby. I wonder what will happen if I keep turning the adjuster ccw - like I said, it can be turned by my fingers and looks like it's unscrewing out, no "clicks" as if it were actually easing off the shoes.

The Ford Barn (folks like you) is a great resource, thanks again.
 
Update - more information but still no fix. I now find the same symptom on both front brakes, too. I pulled the drums off all four brakes and found out why the adjuster freewheels ccw - the brake adjusting RODS are so TIGHT that they don't retract... the wedge forces them out but the brake springs aren't strong enough to retract them when the wedge backs away. I have to rap the rods with a small hammer to get them to moved back. Now waiting to see if Snyder has any suggestions for a remedy.
 
I is pretty obvious that your brakes are bound up with no lubrication. They will never work properly this way. It is time to take them all apart, lubricate what needs it, replace parts that need it and you will have brakes that will at least work somewhat. Getting them to work well is another matter having to do with cast iron drums and getting the shoes to make good contact all around etc. Bite the bullet and do it right. Brakes at too important.
 
wmws said:
I is pretty obvious that your brakes are bound up with no lubrication. They will never work properly this way. It is time to take them all apart, lubricate what needs it, replace parts that need it and you will have brakes that will at least work somewhat. Getting them to work well is another matter having to do with cast iron drums and getting the shoes to make good contact all around etc. Bite the bullet and do it right. Brakes at too important.
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Oh, they're greased! There's plenty of white grease.
 
I have been trying to not add to this but I now have to add my two cents.

Brakes are one of those things that really need to be right. After 90 years, who knows what is right or wrong to your cars braking system.

However, you should know. I would take the whole system apart and inspect each and every part. Replace anything that ever looks like it could be worn or a problem, everything. Also pay attention to your brake drums. If they are shoot, there shoot. Replace.

Once this is done and everything is back together. Brake adjustment is no big thing. You can throw that board way. 4,500,000 Model A’s. Have you ever seen a board with the factory FORD name marked on it. Our period service manual has no mention of a board needed to adjust brakes.
 
Don, Jr. himself did the rebuild... all NEW drums, shoes, adjustment parts, springs... the only used parts were my backing plates and hubs. And even the hubs have new wheel studs swaged in. Snyder's has instructed me to pull the adjuster rods and return them to them for inspection and additional work if required. They are taking this as seriously as me and most of you contributors. Thanks for your support, Cave
 
Dick Steinkamp said:
With the adjusting rods disconnected do the brake adjusters at the backing plate operate normally?
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No, even with the shoes "free" - no springs, no connection to the arm the rods are bound. Tomorrow I pull them and mail them to Snyder's for evaluating. I'll post the end story when I know it.
 
Are you calling the adjusting wedges rods? Are you saying all eight of them are stuck?Am I correct in reading you sent all four backing plates to be rebuilt,and all the adjusters are acting up?
 
I think this is what's the problem, Brake adjusting shaft.
 

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