Emergency Brake Problem

[Naf]

I'm restoring my Father-in-law's 1929 Standard Coupe, which he never got around to. I'm having real difficulty installing the rear emergency brakes. It seems the wheel hubs are either the wrong size or the backing plate is wrong for the car. The car was in pieces when I inherited it, so I don't know what the originals were vs. things he picked up. If I put the brake band on the backing plate, I have 1 1/8" gap between the ends of the lining. If I lay the band in the rear wheel drum and expand it against the wheel, I have much less of a gap, about 7/8". Anybody have any ideas?

 

[700rpm]

Can you post pictures of the hubs?

 

[QGolden]

If you are not using it, Les Andrews' book, Model A Ford mechanics handbook is an invaluable resource for you. $29-36.00 dollars online.

 

[columbiA]

Repro park brake linings are about 1/32" thicker than the original. use a belt sander or,like I did,use a 1/2" anglegrinder to thin the linings.It dont matter if you get close to some of the rivets as the brake is only meant as s parking brake & should never wear out.Fast application at speed will damage the carrier plate & could jam the brake on.

 

[Naf]

700 rpm, pictures coming. QGolden, thanks for the tip. columbiaA, looking closely, the new linings are indeed thicker than the ones I removed. That may be it! Thanks!

 

[700rpm]

It looks like the band is fitting correctly on the backing plate, but you've got the extra thick lining, as columbiA described. Bratton's sells the thinner lining and to my mind it would be easier to get that and replace the thick stuff than try to sand your existing.

 

[Naf]

Thanks. I'll do that, Ray.