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Old 03-31-2011, 08:16 AM   #1
Roadster62
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Default Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

For the experts only please, just how much different are PROPERLY rebuilt STOCK A brakes vs. 1939-49 Ford hydraulic brakes on a Model A.
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Old 03-31-2011, 08:30 AM   #2
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

I can tell you from years of experience with flat-head MoPars ( which use the same damned Lockheed Brakes as the Ford) that the fixed-anchor Lockheed hydraulic brakes can be just as lousy as poorly-maintained Ford mechanicals, if they are not set-up properly.

There are two adjustments: the "heel" contact on the lower anchor pin (referred to as "Major Adjustment", which requires a special gauge, such as the Ammco 1750 brake gauge ), then the service adjustment, which is another eccentric, more easily adjusted by feel, with the drum in place. The linings MUST be correctly arced to match the curvature of the drum.

If the Lockheed hydraulics are not adjusted / functioning properly, the only "advantage" you will gain is that the juice brakes are "self-equalizing" between all four wheels.

You'll spend a fair amount of time & money gathering parts for the conversion, and modifying your car, and still wind-up with an obsolete, fiddly braking system.

I think it's six of one, half-dozen of another, having dealt with both types of brake.

The Model A brakes are a bit simpler to adjust, and do not mandate that use of the special (expensive) brake gauge to set the anchor-pin adjustment.

My two-cents worth.
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Old 03-31-2011, 09:06 AM   #3
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

I believe the 42-48's were easier to adjust. Go over to the EV8 forum and post question, fellow there, richard lacey, specializes in ford brakes, or ck into cling's, and there are others. Supposedly, "properly rebuilt and adjusted" mech brakes as good as hydraulic.
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Old 03-31-2011, 10:02 AM   #4
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

We have 20 vintage cars. Six of them are model A Fords. The model A's stop as well as the cars with the hydraulics. What is really nice about the mechanicals is that the cars with them can sit for years and their brakes still work well. The hydraulics freeze up, develope leaks, and they also drie up. So before taking the hydraulics out after a long storage rest, their brakes usually have to be gone through again. In the hydraulic brakes, I have silicone brake fluid in some and hydraulic brake fluid in others. Less problems with silicone fluid.
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Old 03-31-2011, 11:11 AM   #5
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

Also, those step-bore wheel cylinders are EXPENSIVE if they have to be sleeved or replaced.
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Old 03-31-2011, 11:44 AM   #6
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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Also, those step-bore wheel cylinders are EXPENSIVE if they have to be sleeved or replaced.
New wheel cylinders are $35.
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Old 03-31-2011, 12:27 PM   #7
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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New wheel cylinders are $35.
They were $50 each 15 years ago when I needed them for my '41 De Soto...

I guess the Ford guys are lucky then.

Who has 'em for $35 ?
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Old 10-26-2015, 09:10 PM   #8
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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They were $50 each 15 years ago when I needed them for my '41 De Soto...

I guess the Ford guys are lucky then.

Who has 'em for $35 ?
Just bought some from for my A roadster at NAPA for $20 each
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Old 03-31-2011, 12:03 PM   #9
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

I used front brakes from a 35 Ford, made a huge difference on how it stopped. The brakes are bigger than the stock "A" brakes and they are still mechanical. Was a nice upgrade. Properly adjusted and working correctly, these mechanicals stop well. Just dont drive it like your every day car.
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Old 04-09-2011, 11:34 PM   #10
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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I used front brakes from a 35 Ford, made a huge difference on how it stopped. The brakes are bigger than the stock "A" brakes and they are still mechanical. Was a nice upgrade. Properly adjusted and working correctly, these mechanicals stop well. Just dont drive it like your every day car.
Using the 35 Ford brakes - do they fit with no changes?
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Old 04-10-2011, 08:55 AM   #11
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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Using the 35 Ford brakes - do they fit with no changes?

The only thing needed to fit them was a hydraulic brake conversion kit, it contained the spacer ring for the backing plate, which you dont need and a inner bearing spacer, which you do need. The brake operating pin that goes through the knig pin from the 35 or 36 Ford mates up with no modes to the Model A brake actuating shaft assemblies. Was a real easy swap, only thing I did not have was the operating pins which were hard to find.
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Old 04-10-2011, 01:27 PM   #12
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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The only thing needed to fit them was a hydraulic brake conversion kit, it contained the spacer ring for the backing plate, which you dont need and a inner bearing spacer, which you do need. The brake operating pin that goes through the knig pin from the 35 or 36 Ford mates up with no modes to the Model A brake actuating shaft assemblies. Was a real easy swap, only thing I did not have was the operating pins which were hard to find.
That size was the inner bearing spacer? I am thinking .188 what did you do for the seal? I am working on the swap now. I put 32 rear brakes in the back
Thanks Bill
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Old 04-10-2011, 08:14 PM   #13
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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That size was the inner bearing spacer? I am thinking .188 what did you do for the seal? I am working on the swap now. I put 32 rear brakes in the back
Thanks Bill


I think the spacer thickness was about 3/8". The seal was a stock 35/36 Ford seal. The spindles I used are 32 Ford. The A spindle where the bearings go were the same. Forgot to mention that, though it shouldnt matter.
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Old 04-12-2011, 12:19 AM   #14
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

Thanks Lowbuckboy - I'd like to stay mechanical - I actually like those dang rods going out to the wheels - just wondering if I can get a bit more 'stop' as I'm hoping to go a bit faster...
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Old 03-31-2011, 12:10 PM   #15
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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Originally Posted by Roadster62 View Post
For the experts only please, just how much different are PROPERLY rebuilt STOCK A brakes vs. 1939-49 Ford hydraulic brakes on a Model A.
Would it be fair to ask you what is your opinion?? Why would/do you feel one is better than the other?

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Old 04-02-2011, 02:20 AM   #16
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

Thanks for everyones reply. I posted the original question because every now and then someone mentions putting juice brakes on a STOCK Model A. I've always thought the brakes Henry put on A's that are properly rebuilt, work just fine.
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Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
Would it be fair to ask you what is your opinion?? Why would/do you feel one is better than the other?

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Old 04-02-2011, 06:54 AM   #17
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

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Originally Posted by Roadster62 View Post
Thanks for everyones reply. I posted the original question because every now and then someone mentions putting juice brakes on a STOCK Model A. I've always thought the brakes Henry put on A's that are properly rebuilt, work just fine.

So true!!
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Old 03-31-2011, 12:57 PM   #18
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

I have juice brakes on my coupe and it stops on a dime. I've driven stock coupes with both properly adjusted mechanical brakes and with improperly adjusted mechanical brakes. To be honest, from what I can tell-when adjusted correctly, stock mechanical brakes perform really well! If they are not though it can be scary.

I wouldn't say the properly adjusted mechanical brakes stop AS good as the juice brake conversions do, but pretty close.
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Old 03-31-2011, 01:17 PM   #19
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

I would tend to ask the same question as Brent regarding the
word "better." I'm no "expert" by any definition, but I have owned
juice and mechanical brakes on my two A's and my own opinion
is that in a panic stop----and I have made at least one or two in
my day------is that you need a plan "B" in both scenarios, lol.
Just my opinion, but I think juice brakes on a model A present a
false security. I almost learned the hard way! JMHO

Jack
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Old 03-31-2011, 01:49 PM   #20
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Default Re: Mechanical vs. Juice brakes on an A

If you want hydraulic brakes you are much better off with a new set of modern bendix backing plates available from several vendors, at least for the front. They are much better than 40-48 Ford brakes.
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