Washer for Rear Backing Plate

[Mike1291]

I found some unusual hardware when I took off my rear backing plates on my '31 coupe. When someone did the brakes last, they put some sort of washer on the bolts that go through the backing plate. One of my senior club members said that he'd never seen anything like this before. Anyone have an idea why someone might've done this?

 

[Big hammer]

To get the cotter pins to align with the nut slots

 

[Benson]

A common problem ...

There were two versions of grease baffles:

Early ones use a longer bolt.

Later ones use SHORT bolts and special nuts.

You must have later version baffles with early longer bolts.

You can order the short bolt set from Bert's part A-2248.

https://modelastore.com/

Early bolt sets are not made as far as I know.

 

[Benson]

Big Box bolts are not hardened and do not have shanks in the correct places.

https://modelastore.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=a-2248&category_id=0

 

[JayJay]

A common problem ...

There were two versions of grease baffles:

Early ones use a longer bolt.

Later ones use SHORT bolts and special nuts.

You must have later version baffles with early longer bolts.

You can order the short bolt set from Bert's part A-2248.

https://modelastore.com/

Early bolt sets are not made as far as I know.

While you are at it, suggest you get a new set of the special nuts to be sure all of your hardware is correct. BTW, last set of the new bolts I ordered were just a hair too large to go through the holes in the radius rods, had to burnish them with sandpaper to get them to fit.

 

[Mike1291]

Funny thing is that the bolts look nearly brand new for being the old style. I see that these nuts are also the later style shouldered nut (per https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262825).

I'll get the later style bolts from a friend who has shelves full of old Model A parts from cars. He even fashioned me with a few original bolts for my fender which was a treat.

 

[Mike1291]

Took some pictures of my early bolts compared with the later style ones

 

[Tom Endy]

The attached article addresses another problem with rear backing plates.

http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Rear-Backing-Plates.pdf

Tom Endy

 

[Mike1291]

The attached article addresses another problem with rear backing plates.

http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Rear-Backing-Plates.pdf

Tom Endy

So my old setup solves both issues you outlined in your article, Tom. The original style bolts have a shorter shoulder area (more threads) so the castle nuts won't bottom out on the bolt. And the washers help to secure the castle nut when you use the cotter pin.

 

[Jim Mason]

Look for Steve Plucker's article on backing plates.

 

[Jim Mason]

Check out the rest of the site too


http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/studies/FORDS WAY THE REAR GREASE BAFFLES.pdf