'33 Ford mechanical brake question

[DavidG]

I agree and the same goes with Ford mechanical brakes. It is accomplished by using differing lengths of operating lever arms front versus rear and in the design of the wedges in the front and cams in the rear (in the case of the '32-'34 version).

The reason that the operating arms move forward in the front and rearward in the rear when the brake rods are disconnected is that the brake shoe retracting springs are strong enough to exert upward pressure on the front brake wedges to force them upward thereby moving the operating arms forward and the same applies to the cams in the rear moving those arms rearward. At any point-in-time adjustment, the more subsequent wear of the brake shoes and/or the drums the greater the movement of the retracting springs, the wedges/cams, and the operating arms when the rods are disconnected.

 

[JSeery]

Thanks for the info David, I have never messed with mech brakes much.

 

[woodiewagon46]

By welding on the end of the brake wedge pushrod is only putting a band aid on a problem. They are your brakes, do the job correctly. Mechanical brakes are nothing but a system of rods, shafts and levers. All new bushings, wedges, pins, rollers, levers, shoes and drums and the car should stop like it's new. Do it correctly once and forget it. Safety should come first.

 

[FlatheadTed]

I think you are thinking of a Model A ,No one is producing new drums as far as I know for a 32-33/34 nor are the original type linings available now ,Ted

 

[DavidG]

I agree with Ted about the drums; further, NOS drums, at least the '32-'34 variety, are extremely scarce and have been for decades. Original type woven linings still turn up from time to time (there are some presently on ebay).