Help - Left-Rear Service Brake

[Canton_Model_A's]

Good day to all the members. I am having an issue with my left-rear service brake on my A. The actuating shaft/lever is extremely hard to move. Should this be easy movement or stiff. It is causing the brake pedal to not return to normal position. Also when I apply the brakes it takes a lot of effort to stop the car, kind of like if you have massive brake fade. I know the Model-A is supposed to stop on a dime.

Regards

Dave

 

[nkaminar]

Rebuild the backing plates on all 4 wheels. If the linings are thin (down to the rivet heads) then get new linings. Assemble everything according to the "Red Book" and adjust correctly. If you have the old pressed steel drums, replace them with cast iron drums. The life you save may be your own.

Red book is here: https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=980031&cat=41621

Expert help and service is here:
Randy Gross
Brake Drums, Brake Shoes, Wheel Hubs, and Steering Box rebuild
714-292-8660
melmodela@aol.com

 

[Canton_Model_A's]

I have new Backing plates and shoes from 2 years ago, purchased via one of our great vendors. Unfortunately I have the old pressed steel drums and plan on switching to the cast ones via Mike Gross. Looks like I have to rip it all apart again and the OCF is this weekend.

 

[katy]

The actuating shaft/lever is extremely hard to move.

With everything disconnected it should move (rotate) easily.

 

[Canton_Model_A's]

looks like it is time to rip it apart and if I need to get any parts get them ordered.

 

[Jim/GA]

There is a grease fitting on the rear service brake shafts/bushings that is often overlooked. If it has been 2 years since the new backing plates were installed, that is enough time for that bushing to get tight without grease.

Pull that one drum. Disconnect the brake rod to that wheel at the center brake cross shaft. Operate the brake rod and look at what's happening. Confirm that the 4 little wheels are rolling on the cam and not sliding. Sliding is bad.

Grease the fitting and see if that helps. Operate that lever a bunch to work the grease it.

Pull the shoes and look at where the heads of the brake shoe pins ride along the tracks. They may have been installed wrong 2 years ago. You need to have the head up on the track and it is easy to have the head riding down in front of the track.

Should be pretty easy to resolve in time for the OCF. Good luck with it.

 

[nkaminar]

Jim has the right approach.

 

[Canton_Model_A's]

Managed to get the backing plate off
Looks like it was assembled wrong from the start. Will contact vendor to find out options

 

[nkaminar]

Canton, post photos.

 

[Canton_Model_A's]

Attached you will see the 'New' backing plate, and then the last ones is the the original I had replaced.

The Actuating lever would NOT move easily. but on the original plates, it turns w/o any sort of resistance.

I will post pictures of the 'New' backing plate today, when I got done last night it was like 8:30pm EDT. Just need the 'A' to stop and not like it has brake fade. Now I know why it was doing it.