Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

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?

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

To get the cotter pins to align with the nut slots

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

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.

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

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

https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...&category_id=0

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

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.

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

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.

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

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

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

The attached article addresses another problem with rear backing plates.

http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-conte...ing-Plates.pdf

Tom Endy

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

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.

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

Look for Steve Plucker's article on backing plates.

Re: Washer for Rear Backing Plate
 

Check out the rest of the site too


http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/studie...%20BAFFLES.pdf