Model A Brake Problem...

[Houston Rodder]

My new Model A coupe runs and drives flawless until I hit the brakes. It has a horrible roar/vibration. It doesn't do it every time which makes it very weird. I am running stock mechanical brakes.The previous owner said that the linkage was vibrating. The brakes stop great but the roar is intolerable. Any help???

 

[pat in Santa Cruz]

perhaps shoe chatter from shoes not arced, or loose backing plate or both in combination. Try to determine which wheel (s) its coming from and tear into it (them) for a look.

Or maybe you have metal to metal contact. Have you checked the shoes??

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

As Pat said, my first guess would be something is loose, like a backing plate, bearings, lug nuts, king pins, etc.

 

[Houston Rodder]

The shoes are brand new. I need to get in there and find the rest out.
thanks

 

[Mike V. Florida]

The shoes are brand new. I need to get in there and find the rest out.
thanks

Most likley not arched to fit the curve of the drum and are vibrating.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

What Mike said was my second thought. I don't know how you brake, but it's important for the first 1,000 miles to break in the brakes by using a light foot on the brake pedal. Let the engine do the braking, and break them in easy, just as you would a fresh engine.

 

[Jim Parker Toronto]

If its the rods that are vibrating, loosen them off at the clevises, and with a pair of vise grips, put a little twist in the rods, and then tighten the lock nuts while the rod is still twisted. This will put a load on the rods, and tighten them up a little. Maybe thats all you need to do!

 

[Milton]

First do a proper brake adjustment which will include adjusting the rods. If it is still noisy check a shoe for the wear pattern.