Converting '55 Ford to self-adjusting brakes

Lamar Wadsworth

Senior Member
I know this is easy on a '52-'54 since a '60s Mustang uses the same brake shoes. '55 has bigger brake shoes. Is there any vehicle with self-adjusting brakes that uses the same brake shoes as a '55 Ford? Has anybody done this conversion?
 
1966 to 1975 rear Bronco brakes are 11 x 1 3/4. Might be close enough, I've never tried it though. Didn't mean the shoes maybe the hardware.
 
Somewhere, probably here, I saw a parts list to add the self adjusters using standard Ford brake hardware. Required some drilling/filing on the backing plate, but nothings complicated IIRC. I think “Jeff” was part of the posters screen name.
 
I did this on my 54 last year. I looked up the brake shoes on Rockauto. Then I clicked on the part number, this shows you all makes/models/years of compatibility. Then I just looked for another Ford product from the mid to late sixties with the same shoes and ordered the self adjuster kit for that. They fit great, but as mentioned, you will have to drill/grind a horizontal slot to make external adjustments as the star wheel on will be moved for one side of the vehicle, sorry I don't remember which side.
 
Left side when I did my 56 Tbird. If the brakes (sizes) are the same as a Tbird, I have the part numbers.



I did this on my 54 last year. I looked up the brake shoes on Rockauto. Then I clicked on the part number, this shows you all makes/models/years of compatibility. Then I just looked for another Ford product from the mid to late sixties with the same shoes and ordered the self adjuster kit for that. They fit great, but as mentioned, you will have to drill/grind a horizontal slot to make external adjustments as the star wheel on will be moved for one side of the vehicle, sorry I don't remember which side.
 
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