The Ford Barn

Lawson Cox · 08-26-2015, 04:32 PM

From what I have read there appears to be a dispute as to whether or not upper adjustments are necessary once that adjustment has been made after installing arced and ground shoes and drums.

My brakes were fully done a while back with new shoes, arced and ground, completely adjusted per the service manual and drums turned. They have performed very nicely since.

Now that they are about to need their first adjustment, or re-adjustment you might say, do I need to re-adjust both upper and lower adjustments or are lower adjustments all that is necessary?

Inquiring minds want to know.

19Fordy · 08-26-2015, 06:05 PM

I say "YES" to doing a major break adjustment since the shoes have been removed and worked on. Here's how the 1940's are done. I think 39 is the same. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE.

19Fordy · 08-26-2015, 06:07 PM

You will also want to adjust the emergency brake.

bbrocksr · 08-26-2015, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

From what I have read there appears to be a dispute as to whether or not upper adjustments are necessary once that adjustment has been made after installing arced and ground shoes and drums.

My brakes were fully done a while back with new shoes, arced and ground, completely adjusted per the service manual and drums turned. They have performed very nicely since.

Now that they are about to need their first adjustment, or re-adjustment you might say, do I need to re-adjust both upper and lower adjustments or are lower adjustments all that is necessary?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Lawson, Use the upper adjusters only. The lower adjustments are for centering the shoe to the drum after a major overhaul or replacing the shoes.

Bill

Charles Brock · 08-26-2015, 06:29 PM

Only adjust UPPER. Thanks

Ken/Alabama · 08-26-2015, 06:57 PM

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Charles is correct Lawson. The upper ones is the only ones that needs adjusting. The lowers centers the shoe in the drum and that was done already.

Kahuna · 08-26-2015, 07:52 PM

Yep, uppers only

Lawson Cox · 08-26-2015, 08:55 PM

Great. Thanks fellows. My brain must have been out to the cleaners when I posed the original inquiry. Lowers center the shoes. Uppers adjust the shoes. My memory is going pretty fast fellows. LOL

19Fordy · 08-27-2015, 04:45 PM

I misinterpreted the original post. I now concur with the "uppers only" replies.
But I would still check the E-brake adjustment.
Got to practice up on my reading skills, I guess.

Lawson Cox · 08-27-2015, 08:21 PM

Thanks again fellows, and yes, I know I will have to adjust emergency brake as well. It is set up differently from stock, however.

08-26-2015, 04:32 PM	#1
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,082	Adjusting 39 brakes From what I have read there appears to be a dispute as to whether or not upper adjustments are necessary once that adjustment has been made after installing arced and ground shoes and drums. My brakes were fully done a while back with new shoes, arced and ground, completely adjusted per the service manual and drums turned. They have performed very nicely since. Now that they are about to need their first adjustment, or re-adjustment you might say, do I need to re-adjust both upper and lower adjustments or are lower adjustments all that is necessary? Inquiring minds want to know. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

08-26-2015, 06:29 PM	#5
Charles Brock Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rome, GA Posts: 120	Re: Adjusting 39 brakes Only adjust UPPER. Thanks

08-26-2015, 06:57 PM	#6
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,395	Re: Adjusting 39 brakes Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Charles is correct Lawson. The upper ones is the only ones that needs adjusting. The lowers centers the shoe in the drum and that was done already.

08-26-2015, 07:52 PM	#7
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: Adjusting 39 brakes Yep, uppers only

08-26-2015, 08:55 PM	#8
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,082	Re: Adjusting 39 brakes Great. Thanks fellows. My brain must have been out to the cleaners when I posed the original inquiry. Lowers center the shoes. Uppers adjust the shoes. My memory is going pretty fast fellows. LOL __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". Last edited by Lawson Cox; 08-26-2015 at 09:03 PM.

08-27-2015, 04:45 PM	#9
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,606	Re: Adjusting 39 brakes I misinterpreted the original post. I now concur with the "uppers only" replies. But I would still check the E-brake adjustment. Got to practice up on my reading skills, I guess.

08-27-2015, 08:21 PM	#10
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,082	Re: Adjusting 39 brakes Thanks again fellows, and yes, I know I will have to adjust emergency brake as well. It is set up differently from stock, however. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".