1933 Brake adjustment

Ed Saniewski

Well-known member
Can someone help me out with how the brakes are adjusted in my 1933 station wagon. the brake pedal is resting all the way to the floorboard. when I climbed under the car I see at the cross shaft has a sliding end on the rod from the brake pedal. There is a clevis pin which allows the rod to slide back and forth.
 

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The same as the model A the slot is to allow either the pedal or the parking brake to pull the cross shaft.
For minor adjustment jack up by the axle and adjust at the backing plate, for major adjustments pull the Clevis pin first then adjust at backing plate then adjust the rods so the pin just fits in —- worn parts may complicate adjustments
 
Start with the individual wheel adjustments then follow thru with the linkage if the wheel adjustments do not help.
 
Thanks Kurt and Jim, I am away from the car this weekend ,but will look on Sunday night. Does this mean that when I pull the parking brake, the foot pedal will drop to the floorboard?
 
Only if the pedal return spring is broken or not connected
If the pedal doesn’t stay up the brake lights will come on with the parking brake on.
That’s what the slots in the rods is for
 
That's what I was seeing yesterday The brake light was on and the brake pedal was to the floor. I did not think to see if the parking brake was on.
 
Here are the brake adj procedures from the Service Bulletin. Might be worthwhile to get a copy.Drake sells them also.I can send to your email which you can zoom them for a clearer view.

Here on EBAY and free sh. 1933 Ford V8 Service Bulletins Manual Auction # 383794198457
 

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This is the brake pedal return spring pictured below with Spec. Try Third Gen Auto in Tenn for the original spring or Southside Obsolete in Minn. Check to see if the clutch pedal return spring is in place.
 

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This is the clutch pedal return spring.
 

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This is the brake pedal return spring pictured below with Spec. Try Third Gen Auto in Tenn for the original spring or Southside Obsolete in Minn. Check to see if the clutch pedal return spring is in place.
565824


This is the clutch pedal return spring.

565825
 
To get the best mechanical brakes really everything should be in good shape. No worn out pins and clevises, the cams and wedges in good shape and turn easily, roller tracks and rollers. If the age or condition is unknown to you, maybe pull off a front drum and see what condition things are in. Might be time for a full rebuild.
 
And follow the Service Bulletin instructions to the letter starting with the initial position of the arms on the cross shaft attached to the center cross member.
 
Thanks to all for the great info. I did not realize that the parking brake is tied into the service brake. I am a Model A guy and new to the V8's I am used to the brakes being two systems. I need to get the 1932 service bulletins,I have the 1933.
 
Does anyone have a picture of where the brake pedal return spring goes? I am guessing it is connected to the arm at the base of the pedal, but where does the other end clip to. I looked at the drawings in the service bulletins , but don't see that spring.
 
Does anyone have a picture of where the brake pedal return spring goes? I am guessing it is connected to the arm at the base of the pedal, but where does the other end clip to. I looked at the drawings in the service bulletins , but don't see that spring.
Here's a picture of the '36 brake and clutch return springs. Don't know if the '33 is the same...
496895
 
Thanks Pete for the picture, I will get under the car this afternoon and see if I have those bosses for the spring on the pins.
 
The original pins for the brake and clutch pedals have the head for the spring attachment. They are reproduced but originals are not hard to find.
 
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