Brakes Shake
 

Hello good morning,My brother restored a ‘30 coupe. All components On the car are brand new. When applying the brakes firmly the car shakes violently!
Now my guess would be the shoes and drums arent true? He unfortunately passed away unexpectedly on us recently at 53 years old. So I can’t ask him
Excactly what his thoughts are. Any input where to start would be great. I never had to adress this issue with our cars. Thanks,Lenny

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Most likely the drums have some runout. But check the preload on the front bearings first and check that the nuts on the rear axle are tight.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Death Wobble..Check steering components especially the wishbone connection

Re: Brakes Shake
 

What exactly is “Runout”? The brakes and drums are brand new. What’s the fix of runout?
It’s definitely not death wobble I been down that road before ����

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Radius ball is worn,loose. Check front cross member for cracks check front spring shackles and spring perchs.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Again thank you for your advice but the coupe was tore down and completely restored. Their is nothing not brand new or restored on this car.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Even though the car has completely new parts everywhere there could be some that were not done correctly. As others have talked about, if the ball at the end of the wishbone was not tightened or a rubber ball was used that could cause violent shaking. Or if the drums were not turned correctly after being installed on the hubs that could be a problem. Or if the bearings in the front were not tightened correctly or the nuts on the rear axles were not tightened, those could be problems.

Do not assume anything. You will have to check everything to make sure they are right. Take the front drums off to examine the brakes.

To measure the runout of the drums you will have to take them somewhere (Randy Gross) to have them measured or take the backing plates off and use a dial indicator.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Have you checked front end alignment? Toe-in?

Re: Brakes Shake
 

The fact that as stated " it has new parts everywhere" only raises a red flag to experienced rebuilders, restorers.some problems may have been baked into this cake. I would start with the front drums. Any shop that can turn drums can tell you if you have runout. If so a light cut on the drum will fix that. You may have to dig deeper.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

I am also voting for a death wobble issue.

By applying the brakes, you are putting more stress on something else, causing the vibrations. I am speaking from experience on this one.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Did the toe in before it was takin out for its first ride. I will start checking off all the boxes
That you all have shared. Thanks a million!

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Just as a test I would add a little more toe in and see if it improves.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

I have been holding off making a comment on this but I now can’t resist.

I also vote on the “death wobble” as most likely the major cause. Go over your front end completely.

🤞

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Lenny, I am not trying to be difficult, but brakes on these cars are very complicated to get correct to factory standards, ...and most hobbyists never get them totally right. And, -you are not alone in struggling with these as we have seen more than a handful of hobbyists say the same basic thing that they installed new parts but now their Model-A stops worse than it did before they changed everything.

I have spent a lot of time building fixtures to install tracks in the correct location, jigs to make the reproduction parts meet factory specifications when modified, etc. They also say that experience is something you get after you need it. My first suggestion is to find one of Victor Duncan's Model-A Brake videos and watch it until it makes total sense. Take your time and be patient with yourself and you will eventually have great brakes.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Brent is right that the brakes on a Model A are more complicated than most people realize. Also the early Ford V8's with mechanical brakes. My car came with all new brake parts but it has taken me years to get all the bugs worked out. I can now smoke all 4 tires.

Just the shape of the wedges in the front is complicated. There are three separate sections that perform 3 different jobs.

Re: Brakes Shake
 

Lol I’m looking into buying a boat anchor to toss out the window����
I will surely dig into it as soon as I get the car home which will be soon. Thanks guys!!