emergency brake adjustment
 

All;
Am I missing something, I have checked my manuals and I cannot find if there is an adjustment for the emergency brake. The reason I ask, is it holds on a level surface but not on an incline.

please advise.

John G

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

the adjustment is on the e brake rods at the e brake cross shaft

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

The handle should pull tight by the third notch. I helped one guy at the national meet that almost couldn't go on tour because he couldn't release the parking brake. The brake handle pin at the bottom had caught on the metal floor plate, and it would not get past the slot until I forced it with a screwdriver. i don't recall what exactly was wrong, but make sure it clears. Maybe his pin was too long?

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

the repo handles are a PIA
i have to remove mine and grind down the pointer to hold in the notches properly.
sometimes it wont click in at all and only get 1 notch to engage

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

Thanks for the input. So I make the adjustment on the rod that goes from the lever to the cross shaft or make the adjustment on the rod from the drum to the cross shaft. The operation of the brake handle is fine.

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

What if the adjustment is all taken up?

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

Terry - you mean the emergency brake rod adjustment is all the way in? are you sure you even have emergency brake bands inside the drums???

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

E brake works but lever is all way back.

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

I still haven't seen an answer to how to adjust the emergency brake. What are the steps?

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

Assuming that the lining and drums are not worn out, it could be play in the x shaft is the culprit . As a easy solution I have run a die along the rod from the adjuster to give a few more threads for it.

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

.
1 jack and axle and the rear end and chock front wheels.
2. Ensure brakes are cold and service brake not binding at all
3. fully release hand brake.
4 disconnect e brake rods from x shaft
5 turn the adjustable end of rod until eye of it is in line with x shaft when rod is pulled lightly forward.
6. ditto other side ( which may affect the first side because of loose x shaft)
7 back to first side and ditto adjust again to take up any slop in x shaft.
8 check where hand brake engages in notches - ideally 2 or 3
9 go back to step 5, 6,7, as necessary

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

From the Service bulletins (page 265). Adjusting Emergency Brakes: 1) Fully release the brake lever. 2) Remove rod A-2853 that connects the emergency brake lever to the cross shaft center lever. (Figure 530), 3) Next replace the rod inserting through hole "B" in the center cross member and connecting the rod to the cross shaft center lever through UPPER hole "C" in lever. "Never adjust for wear by shortening the pull rods."

The bulletin also provide instructions for equalizing the emergency brakes.That process does adjust the rods based on tire sliding when stopping the car. If you don't have the service bulletins you may want to get them they're very helpful.

The warning to not adjust the rods for emergency brake adjustment is from the bulletin. Tim

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

Thanks, John and Tim. That's just what I was looking for.

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

That's all fine and dandy but our '31 doesn't have hole "B" in the center cross member nor does it have the UPPER hole "C" in lever.
The only adjustment possible is at the clevise's on the e brake pull rods as Mitch and johnbuckley explained.

Re: emergency brake adjustment
 

The April 8, 1930 Service Letter states "Any adjustment necessary should be made with adjustable clevises on the brake rods." This is for the solid cross shaft.

Bob