early brake cross shaft

R

rusted

Member
I have an early 28 tudor with a two piece cross shaft and equalizer. My question is, is there any bushings on the ends of the cross shaft at the frame?
 
No bushings, they ride in the pieces of strap and can move fore and aft to keep equal pressure pulling on the brake rods. Hence the name equalizer brake system. Rod
 
Rowdy, thanks for the reply! let me ask you this , is it better to keep this system or go to the one piece cross shaft? The system I have looks good with no wear on any parts but I see in the service bullitins that they do replace my system. Just wondering. Thanks
 
I would use the original system. The replacement style cross shaft that will allow you to keep the left hand e-brake handle with later brakes is hard to find. The early brake system if restored properly is a real good brake system. Alittle finicy and can be a real pain if the restoration is done wrong. Rod
 
I will keep the system the way it is. there is just a little slop in the pins and yokes but that is an easy repair. The rest of the system is in real good condition so I will leave well enough alone. I just love what a person can learn on the BARN! Thanks
 
I have used the spilt cross shaft bushings and the straps they sell at Brattons. It works well to keep everything straight.
 
The straps on outer ends of cross shafts are made to allow the outer ends to centre them selves.I would'nt. Use 2-piece bushings. On outer ends as the could fall out.Keep the brakes adjusted well,or the "dogbone" could fall out,leaving you with no brakes.Be sure to get a repro of the A service bulletins as it will tell you all you need to know about setting up the early brake system.
 
I would ditch the 3 piece system and use a one piece.

Henry bragged that if one piece of his mechanical brake system broke, you would still have brakes on the other 3 wheels trying to put down hydraulic brakes..

Not so with a 3 piece piece shaft.

Lose one rod or the dog bone falls out, you then have no brakes AND no handbrake either and you are along for the free ride.

It happened to me, lucky was in a rural area going 20 MPH and had to just run along and hope to hell the hill ended before I ran into something.

Turned the engine off, but the 4.22 compression didn't do much.

I do worry when I am driving thru town and IF any part of the brake broke when kids or someone was crossing the road, I would have to run into parked cars to stop.

Maybe you can keep the 3 piece and carry an anchor to throw out......
 
I have the early brake system on my 28 tudor. The rarest piece of that system is the center dog bone, but I see repos in the new catalogs. Mine works really good.
 
Roudy mentioned the early Ford brakes have 2 metal straps at the outer end of the cross rod. Where can I buy some or get info to make some?
 
You can probably get original starps from Berts in Denver, CO (303-293-3673). They have a salvage yard full of cars. I purchased an original wiper motor from them for my Oct 28 Leatherback. I also have the self equalizing brake system.
Good luck
 
My brake system on my Dec.1927 works great.

Do not forget to install the socket springs A-2483. Keeps down rattles and helps to retain the dog bone. The springs are 9/16" long x 7/16" diameter. Easy to make.

Ron
 
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