'36 Brake Problems....

Enbloc

Enbloc

Senior Member
My '36 has got totally rebuilt stock mechanical brakes.
As I come to a stop from 5-10 mph I get the most terrible vibration that travels through the whole car. If I let off the brake pedal the vibration stops, back on the pedal it starts again.

I've set the brakes up as per the Service Bulletins but the brakes are still poor. Yes their mechanicals, but I know they can be alot better than they currently are.

Any areas I should be looking for problems?

Thanks.
 
Stock mechanicals can work great , but energisers improve them even more . I know exactly the noise you have & to fix it on my 36 I first added energisers & then re-adjusted per the instructions with the kit . Adjustment of all components is very critical . Also it is very important that if you turn you brake drums you "MUST" re-arc your brake shoes to suit . There are 2 types of energisers , but I believe Flathead Teds are the easier of the 2 to adjust .
Cheers
Tony
my 36 with mechanicals will send you thru the windscreen
 
No mechanicals come with floaters , if your has them they have been installed previously.
 
You may try using sandpaper on the brakeshoes and drums to remove any glaze or lubricants thay may have gotten on them. I have had to do this in the past, and it worked for me. Marv
 
Check the wear pattern on the leading shoe. If the top or bottom of the arc is touching the drum before the center of the arc, then at low speeds the shoe will "catch and release" producing the vibration you are describing. Assuming when they "rebuilt" your brakes that they turned your drums, maybe they didn't arc the new shoes properly (which are built for stock drum size). And check/replace your return springs. Old springs will allow a slow speed chatter.
 
In reguard to Andy's post above, you can put a chamfer at the end of each shoe. That will help with your problem. Ed
 
Enbloc said:
I thought energisers weren't needed on 36's because they were already "floating"?
Click to expand...


In the 35/36 brakes the actuator cam floats, The "energizer"is a floating anchor/adjuster that replaces the stationary anchor/adjuster.
They are at opposite ends of the shoes.
Hope this helps, Bill
 
Enbloc,
I used Vintage Auto Parts floaters or energizers if you prefer
with excellent results in my '35. Without a doubt they enhanced the mechanical brakes on par with the FORD hydraulics. The shoes must match the drums in arc.
Charlie ny
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. Gives me alot to be getting on with.

KiWinUS said:
Stock mechanicals can work great , but energisers improve them even more . I know exactly the noise you have & to fix it on my 36 I first added energisers & then re-adjusted per the instructions with the kit . Adjustment of all components is very critical . Also it is very important that if you turn you brake drums you "MUST" re-arc your brake shoes to suit . There are 2 types of energisers , but I believe Flathead Teds are the easier of the 2 to adjust .
Cheers
Tony
my 36 with mechanicals will send you thru the windscreen
Click to expand...

Now I realise you can fit floaters to a '36 I'll order up a Teds kit!

andyleonard said:
Check the wear pattern on the leading shoe. If the top or bottom of the arc is touching the drum before the center of the arc, then at low speeds the shoe will "catch and release" producing the vibration you are describing. Assuming when they "rebuilt" your brakes that they turned your drums, maybe they didn't arc the new shoes properly (which are built for stock drum size). And check/replace your return springs. Old springs will allow a slow speed chatter.
Click to expand...

I'm going to have my drums skimmed and the shoes re-arched, especially on the rear as the drums are grooved and the linings are showing uneven wear. The fronts are fine with perfect drums and full contact on the linings I also noticed that the return springs didn't have as much "spring" in them as to what I was expecting and have felt before so will change these as well.

bbrocksr said:
In the 35/36 brakes the actuator cam floats, The "energizer"is a floating anchor/adjuster that replaces the stationary anchor/adjuster.
They are at opposite ends of the shoes.
Hope this helps, Bill
Click to expand...

Yes, this is what I was getting confused with.

ken ct said:
I had this same problem on my 36,boiled down to loose king pins[too much clearance.]:) ken ct.
Click to expand...

King pins are new and tight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top