Brake Adjusting Shaft

G

garyjohn

Senior Member
I am ready to change to cast iron drums and new shoes. In Les Andrews book vol. 1 on page 1-37 is a sketch of a "Brake Adjusting Shaft Fixture". I have checked many parts catalogs looking for one of these and am unable to fine one. Does anyone know where to get one or do you make your own? How do you check the length with out a fixture? Thanks for the help, Gary
 
I'll say up front - I've not done it. But looking at the red book, it looks like a simple fixture you can make a home from 1/8" flat bar. It says the the length is not critical, but that they both must have the same length and bevel. The fixture is really a comparator. You put one shaft in it, then set the adjustable part to match the shaft. Then put the other shaft in and tweak one or the other shaft to match.
 
garyjohn said:
I am ready to change to cast iron drums and new shoes. In Les Andrews book vol. 1 on page 1-37 is a sketch of a "Brake Adjusting Shaft Fixture". I have checked many parts catalogs looking for one of these and am unable to fine one. Does anyone know where to get one or do you make your own? How do you check the length with out a fixture? Thanks for the help, Gary
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ndnchf said:
I'll say up front - I've not done it. But looking at the red book, it looks like a simple fixture you can make a home from 1/8" flat bar. It says the the length is not critical, but that they both must have the same length and bevel. The fixture is really a comparator. You put one shaft in it, then set the adjustable part to match the shaft. Then put the other shaft in and tweak one or the other shaft to match.
Click to expand...

Making these fixtures is probably a little more involved than the typical 'make at home' project unless someone has a Mill and a few other tools. I have built both of my fixtures, and so I likely have a better feel for what is involved in making one.

It is correct that the length is not "as critical" however this is just one of many areas that specialty tooling is required on brakes. It has always been this way however for years hobbyists were ok with getting it close and letting it eat. Now, the playing field is different. Ford originally used fixtures to install the Shoe Centering Plates and did not let the Agency's mechanic install them. The same thing with other components. So without having factory specs (-from factory drawings and literature), and fixtures to ensure items are within specs, how are we supposed to make things correct without them??
 
nkaminar, I have new ones. I used a caliper and they all measure different. You would think that being new they would be the same.
 
Is it possible to select sets of two that are the same length? Did you measure from the hole for the pin?
 
garyjohn said:
nkaminar, I have new ones. I used a caliper and they all measure different. You would think that being new they would be the same.
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Yes, these repros are typically different dimensions out of the bag and must all be ground. When grinding, it is very easy to get the angle off where it does not 'seat' with the Brake Adjusting Wedge teeth.
 
and of course even if you get the shafts identical can all the other components in the brake system eg pins/rollers/adjuster/wedge etc be guaranteed absolutely correct ( even if new!) ??
 
My dad made this tool and it was in both the MARC/MAFCA restoration series. I will try to load a picture so you can see it.

BrakeTool.jpg
 
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