Front brake assembly

Chris Haynes

Well-known member
When I was tearing the front end apart I took many pictures of how everything was together. Now that it is coming back together all the pictures have evaporated from my phone. Can someone show me a picture of how the front brake is assembled? it should be mentioned that my car is a combination of unknown ingredients. Mostly 1940-1948 I have been told..
 
Here's how the 1940 front brakes assembly looks. The grease catcher has been removed.
 

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When I was tearing the front end apart I took many pictures of how everything was together. Now that it is coming back together all the pictures have evaporated from my phone. Can someone show me a picture of how the front brake is assembled? it should be mentioned that my car is a combination of unknown ingredients. Mostly 1940-1948 I have been told.

These two pics of a FRONT, Left 1939-1941 brake. The large end of wheel cylinder, as well as longer shoe lining go toward FRONT. The grease catcher thing held on with the four center bolts is installed upside down in this picture.

427041


166014

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Below is two pictures of 1942-1948 FRONT, Left brake. Note grease catcher is attached properly. DD

176207


176204




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Your backing plate shows one of the brass shoe bushing is stuck to the lower anchor pin. They have to match the shoes 42 to 48 with the oval hole. 39 to 41 are round.

Clock your grease gaurd so the flat is at 12 oclock. Its made that way to clear the return springs.

Assembly is simple. If you're strong you can mount one shoe, hook the spring and pull the second shoe on by hand. Or brake shoe spring pliers and small piece of wood so the spike doesn't damage the lining ( if glued) or hook it in a rivit hole
 
The shoe with the longer lining goes to the front.

Rotate the adjustment cams all the way back.

Be sure the bushing thing that goes in the bottom of the shoe can still slide freely in the shoe once the retainer plate and cotter pins are installed.

When you have everything in place; wrap a bungee cord around the shoes; it helps keep stuff in place while installing the spring.
 
You have the wrong type of grease retainer. The part on the right with the "dam" ought to go at the bottom. There will be a clearance issue with the spring. You can dress the grease catcher down with a ball pein hammer. If you get it dull red first it is a lot easier. I showed this in a recent video. around the 27 minute mark.
https://youtu.be/4sVdRkusfEA
Mart.
 
I am trying to buy the brake adjuster cams with bolt attached and can't find a part number or a supplier who knows what I need. They are the somewhat oval cams shown so well in the first picture above.
Thanks
 
I am trying to buy the brake adjuster cams with bolt attached and can't find a part number or a supplier who knows what I need. They are the somewhat oval cams shown so well in the first picture above.
Thanks

Are these the parts you are looking for?
 

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I am trying to buy the brake adjuster cams with bolt attached and can't find a part number or a supplier who knows what I need. They are the somewhat oval cams shown so well in the first picture above.
Thanks

Call and ask for Michael Driskell at 844-327-5988. He owns "3rd Gen Automotive". Explain to Michael what you need. He knows these cars, likes talking on the phone, likely has your parts, and loves to help. 3rd Gen's web site below. DD

https://thirdgenauto.com/shop-parts/
 
Other than salvaging the cam and bolt off an old plate; pretty sure the kit sold by seabeemc, as Mart mentioned, is the only game in town.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-brake-adjusters-u-s-a.1033506/#post-13937275

Otherwise; you can grind the upset off a salvaged adjuster, being sure not to go too deep and remove the rectangular portion, drill and tap the end for a 10-32 screw, and reattach the cam with a button head screw and flat washer.
 

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Chris,
May I use your picture of the 40's Ford backing plate to ask for help buying the upper cam adjusters that your picture shows so well? My 40's brakes were put on my 1930 Model A in the 50's.
I have tried to find the cam adjusters from suppliers, but without a part number or a decent picture I am getting nowhere.
Thank you,
Casey Stoudt
 
Chris,
May I use your picture of the 40's Ford backing plate to ask for help buying the upper cam adjusters that your picture shows so well? My 40's brakes were put on my 1930 Model A in the 50's.
I have tried to find the cam adjusters from suppliers, but without a part number or a decent picture I am getting nowhere.
Thank you,
Casey Stoudt

Casey, contact seabeecmc on the hamb via my link above. he makes the repair kit.
 
Chris,
May I use your picture of the 40's Ford backing plate to ask for help buying the upper cam adjusters that your picture shows so well? My 40's brakes were put on my 1930 Model A in the 50's.
I have tried to find the cam adjusters from suppliers, but without a part number or a decent picture I am getting nowhere.
Thank you,
Casey Stoudt

If you are missing the actual cams themselves; I don't think you are going to find them anywhere but on another backing plate. Probably easier to just get another backing plate in that case.
 
If you are missing the actual cams themselves; I don't think you are going to find them anywhere but on another backing plate. Probably easier to just get another backing plate in that case.

I've gotta agree! They're a dime a dozen (figuratively), and even reasonably-priced if you shop carefully. I've given more than one away in the past. Just don't happen to have one laying around this week, though. DD
 
i have a backing plate that was drug down the road and wrecked the bottom. its free if you want it for parts
 
Thank you. The first picture from Chris Haynes shows the two eccentrics about 2/3 of the way up on the backing plate but the parts blowup does not. I will call the references. I appreciate the help. It's time to get my high school ride moving again.
 
Thank you. The first picture from Chris Haynes shows the two eccentrics about 2/3 of the way up on the backing plate but the parts blowup does not.

OK, looks like I was confused about what we were talking about! Imagine that!!
 
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Thank you. The first picture from Chris Haynes shows the two eccentrics about 2/3 of the way up on the backing plate but the parts blowup does not. I will call the references. I appreciate the help. It's time to get my high school ride moving again.

They are not shown as they part of the backing plates and serviced separately.

Only way to get the cams is to salvage them off another plate; or switch plates.

Only one bad I would fix it; but if both are twisted off; I would probably replace the plate, unless the existing plate was powder coated or plated.

They are in the parts blowup tho; circled them.
 

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