Emergency brake cross shaft interchange?

M

mcgarrett

Well-known member
I have been working on a '30 Coupe that hasn't been on the road in roughly 40 years. After inspecting underneath, I noticed the parking/emergency brake lever and ALL the linkage thereof had been removed, but the cross shaft is still there although it's missing the forged arm on the passenger side :eek: Due to my inexperience in that department during my inspection, I didn't know there was a difference in design between '28-'30 and '31. Not knowing that, I was able to secure a complete cross shaft with the arms from a '31 and thought I could simply swap in the whole shaft, arms, linkage etc. Is is possible to swap the '31 design in place of the '30 parts? None of the vendors I've checked sell the forged arms at each end of the shaft. What are my options at this point??
 
The emergency brake cross shaft changed in April of 1930. Before then the cross shaft had "arms" that originated INSIDE the frame rails and extended out into their path to the rear brakes. After April 1930 the cross shaft extended THROUGH the frame rail and a separate "arm" was used outside the rail.

Looking at the Service Bulletins Page 449 I see that the same "mounting location" was used for both - although doubtless the bearing is likely different to allow the pass-thru.

As to Post April 30 being the same as the '31 - this should be the case. But either should be distinctly different from the pre-April '30.

Not sure on what you have. Sounds like yours could be the "extended arm" version.

My A truck (Avatar) is March 1929 and has the "extended arm" cross shaft. The last one of these I picked up was at the local auto flea market and I believe I paid $15. I see today on Ebay they run starting about $40 plus shipping.

As to the later "through" shaft, Snyders seems to sell the component parts EXCEPT for that outside arm. This includes the flanges and the brass spherical bearing. You'll have to remove the outer arm on probably both sides to do the install. (I.e. think riveting)

You should be able to use the 31 cross shaft in place of an earlier cross shaft providing you can come up with the flanges/balls & etc. for the pivot.

Joe K
 
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Thanks Joe for the info. I have had zero experience working on the e-brake assemblies on Model A's, so your thoughts are appreciated. I'm waiting on parts now and once they arrive, I'll get back to the car for a look-see. Unfortunately the car is about a half hour away from me.
 
If you wish to drive the car without emergency brakes - it is possible. The emergency only actuates the emergency segment of the rear brakes and by design is completely separate from the normal driving brakes. E-brakes have no real function other than their use in an "emergency." Which can happen, but is unlikely.

The E-brake is best used to "hold" the car stationary against movement while the engine is not operating. My mind goes to my son's 2008 Toyota Tacoma with 240K miles - and a VERY loose engine. A small slope is enough to "roll" the engine even while in gear and allow the truck to slip into the ditch. Had he remembered to set the emergency brake the accident wouldn't have happened.

Still, to get the car to a place where it can be worked on IS possible without the E-brake.

If you're willing to take the chance.

Joe K
 
If the frame has shaft holes with the puckers on them then it's the late one since it extends through the frame holes. If it just has a flat area around the bolt holes where the bearings attach then it's the earlier type set up that fits inside the frame rails. The late one is the small diameter shaft and it's available in reproduction. The early one are bigger in shaft diameter and as mentioned, they have the L-shaped arms mounted close to each end.

The real early cars didn't have an E-brake cross shaft since is was an equalizer set up that worked in unison with the service brakes. This link is a late type.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2270930284...DUfUTzlQxMiVW5uqTwBmiJz4Iy|tkp:Bk9SR4LukIOxZw

This is the earlier type:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1159483918...idzQ5cigqHKfunYWoKaXxaHio=|tkp:Bk9SR4LukIOxZw
 
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Joe & rotorwrench,
Thanks for the clarity on the 2 styles. I didn't remember for sure the last time I worked on the car which style it had, so I was going from memory (not so reliable these days). I was able to get a complete assembly for a '31 so we'll see how it goes when I go back out to work on the car. The lady I'm doing the work for isn't a skilled Model A driver, but knows a little about driving one and wants to get hers back on the road. With that in mind, I want to be sure she at least has a sporting chance with a good, functioning e-brake system should she ever need it...safety first!
 
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