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H. L. Chauvin · 08-25-2017, 02:21 PM

Hi Steve,

1. Appears you are like many of us who tell it like it is. From experience, if:

A. Your non-lubricated Model A mechanical brakes were formerly worked on where some parts may have been changed out with later reproduction parts for the past 80+ years; and,

B. You have not measured your newly installed brake shoes with a brake centering tool, and your individual brake shoes are not concentric, and;

C. Your inner diameters of all individual brake drums are NOT exactly alike, like Ford's originals; and

D. You try to follow "Ford's Original Service Bulletins" to the letter, with the same repeated "Myth" that requires "Equal Length Brake Rods" for Model A brakes ..... after they are worn .... just a humble suggestion:

E. Remove your floor boards, bow your head in prayer, and place your feet on the ground prior to stopping to help your improperly adjusted mechanical brakes to stop "in time" at the next stop sign.

2. By 1934, the Motors Handbook recognized that with slightly worn bushings, slightly worn brake rod clevises, slightly worn internal brake parts and especially no two (2) brake drum inner diameters exactly alike that it was necessary to not only adjust brake clevises, but to FIRST adjust brake rod lengths by taking up all movement slack in brake rods, and contrary to Ford's original new brake adjustment recommendations, adjust the Brake Rod Lengths as well as the clevises to compensate for even slightly worn brake parts.

3. Takes time to adjust both clevises and to also adjust the original never recommended brake rod lengths; but in doing so, like in 1934, you will immediately notice a difference in mechanical brake performance. (Ford mechanics and all mechanics back then knew to adjust brake rod lengths after parts were slightly worn.)

4. Brake Buddy is a great tool where a single person can quickly use it for achieving exact incremental brake depression dimensions in inches as recommended by Ford. It works very well to not only adjust individual brake clevises, but also to adjust individual brake rod lengths when the pedal is depressed to different depths.

Hope this helps you to achieve an important Model A Life Safety Feature .. to stop in time.

08-25-2017, 02:21 PM	#12
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Brake Buddy Adjustment Hi Steve, 1. Appears you are like many of us who tell it like it is. From experience, if: A. Your non-lubricated Model A mechanical brakes were formerly worked on where some parts may have been changed out with later reproduction parts for the past 80+ years; and, B. You have not measured your newly installed brake shoes with a brake centering tool, and your individual brake shoes are not concentric, and; C. Your inner diameters of all individual brake drums are NOT exactly alike, like Ford's originals; and D. You try to follow "Ford's Original Service Bulletins" to the letter, with the same repeated "Myth" that requires "Equal Length Brake Rods" for Model A brakes ..... after they are worn .... just a humble suggestion: E. Remove your floor boards, bow your head in prayer, and place your feet on the ground prior to stopping to help your improperly adjusted mechanical brakes to stop "in time" at the next stop sign. 2. By 1934, the Motors Handbook recognized that with slightly worn bushings, slightly worn brake rod clevises, slightly worn internal brake parts and especially no two (2) brake drum inner diameters exactly alike that it was necessary to not only adjust brake clevises, but to FIRST adjust brake rod lengths by taking up all movement slack in brake rods, and contrary to Ford's original new brake adjustment recommendations, adjust the Brake Rod Lengths as well as the clevises to compensate for even slightly worn brake parts. 3. Takes time to adjust both clevises and to also adjust the original never recommended brake rod lengths; but in doing so, like in 1934, you will immediately notice a difference in mechanical brake performance. (Ford mechanics and all mechanics back then knew to adjust brake rod lengths after parts were slightly worn.) 4. Brake Buddy is a great tool where a single person can quickly use it for achieving exact incremental brake depression dimensions in inches as recommended by Ford. It works very well to not only adjust individual brake clevises, but also to adjust individual brake rod lengths when the pedal is depressed to different depths. Hope this helps you to achieve an important Model A Life Safety Feature .. to stop in time.