self adjusting brakes.

B

Bob T

Senior Member
I've tried the search function but no answer. I would like to have self adjusting rear brakes on my 1957 Ford. Do later parts interchange and/or is there a kit? Any help or advise will be appreciated.
 
Go to Rock Auto, look them up for a '64 Galaxie. For the record, 11" brake hardware is largely the same from '57-'72.
 
" largely the same" ? Not 100%, many of the 50's Ford hardware kits are no longer listed in the aftermarket seller's catalogs. It is best to have a complete match to the shoes there are differences in hardware part numbers when you use the self adjuster kits so match it 100% and you will be better off. Not all brake shoes have the same hardware attachment holes in the same place,that could cause a problem.
 
It has been my understanding that the self-adjusters operate whenever the wheels are rotating in reverse. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.
I personally would not have them because I have a long driveway and if I were to use it everyday, the adjusters would be automatically tightening up those shoes maybe too much for my taste. I prefer to have little to no drag on my brakes. Besides, how often do they really need adjusting?
 
They do work as you apply the brakes going in reverse but will not "over" adjust. Movement of the shoes is what causes the little latch to catch the start wheel. If the shoes are up tight as they should be there is not enouph movement for the latch to catch the next finger on the wheel.
 
The way I use to get the "final adjustment" on my '71 F100 was to make a series of stops & starts (in the driveway), going both directions.
 
I attempted to do this to my '58 Ford Ranchero. I quickly realized the slot for the star wheel adjuster was not in the right place for self-adjusting brakes. I determined it would require different backing plates and at that point I gave up on the idea.
 
okiedokie said:
Take a look on the HAMB on the 52-56 Ford social group. Your answer is there.
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So I looked on the HAMB - couldn't find a 52-56 Ford Social Group - did manage to find a 1952-59 Group (or something like that) and couldn't find any way to search the roughly 6000 threads that are there - could you be a little more specific? The last time I tried a referral link to a HAMB thread on this topic, the link wouldn't work!! That site is so screwed up and frustrating now!!
 
Randy in ca said:
So I looked on the HAMB - couldn't find a 52-56 Ford Social Group - did manage to find a 1952-59 Group (or something like that) and couldn't find any way to search the roughly 6000 threads that are there - could you be a little more specific? The last time I tried a referral link to a HAMB thread on this topic, the link wouldn't work!! That site is so screwed up and frustrating now!!
Click to expand...

Randy if you have joined the H.A.M.B. to get to the 1952-59 Ford Group just click on this: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/social-forums/1952-59-ford-social-group.282/ I am the Moderator and founder of this group,we started off as the 1952-56 Ford Group in May 2009 two years later we expanded it to include 1957-59's. When the H.A.M.B. did it's infamous "upgrade" it killed off a lot of build pictures and obsoleted the links, little by little I and other members have worked to restore as much as we can. You will notice the very first line at the top of our Group is "FAQ" this is our big information file this is for sharing and storing information ONLY. NEVER post questions there,use the regular forum for questions and comments.
 
I also agree the search function is messed up,it seems to complete searches about 30% or less. I can dig and dig and manually find stuff and the topic will be the same as the search words that got me nowhere. :(
 
PapaVolume said:
So you guys are just ordering 2 of the #2541 and 2 of the #2540 adjuster kits? And that is correct for all 4 wheels?
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Just to clue you in Autozone usually has those kits on hand if not overnight from the warehouse and you save on shipping a lot,if you use rockauto for a guide some of the numbers are the same and some can be crossed over at the counter.
 
It looks like my 57 rear with 11x2 in. shoes uses the h2540 for the left rear and h2541 for the right rear. Wish me luck.
 
Pamlico & Lowrider
Although the slot appears incorrect on one side for the adjuster,
it will work fine and the star wheel can be adjusted without problem
 
Kahuna, that will work now that you mention that. If everything is working correctly you shouldn't need any slot to keep them adjusted. Come to think about it, when self adjusters first came out you had to chisel out the slot in the back plate for the rubber plug used for access to the adjuster.
 
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