Model A - Hyd Brake shoe identification help needed

Larry Callahan

Junior Member
Long before we bought our 1930 Model A someone added hydraulic brakes. I assume they are from a 1938-1948 car or 1939-1947 pickup.


I have a bad pull to the left that I can't get rid of so I want to try to replace the front shoes.


Can anyone help me identify these shoes so I know which ones to order?


Thank you.
 

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Yep. '39-'42.

Shoes don't look that bad; unless they are oil soaked.

Check that all 4 wheel cylinder pistons are free.

Check that the shoes are free to pivot on the lower cams.

If you get new shoes be aware there were some defective shoes made.

While the linings on original shoes are long on the front and short on the rear; the linings on reproduction shoes are both the same length.

Best way is to have you original shoes relined at place like Brake & Equip in MPLS.

When you go to adjust the shoes; read over the directions until you understand them.

Easy; but they need to be done correctly for good results.
 
1939 through 1941 use a lot of the same parts. The wide Five drums of the 1939 made them different but the backing plates were early hydraulic types. The front spindles were round backs till 1942. From 1942 through 48, the backing plates and spindles were different. The spindles were more rectangular at the back and the backing plates were updated.
 
I suspect that the lining one one side was at one time soaked with brake fluid.


Can I swap the left a right shoes to see if it pulls the other way?
 
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