Brake Adjustment

[Cape Codder]

I'm trying to get the very most from my mechanical brakes.

The "Model A Ford Service Bulletins" start in January which I'm assuming is in the year of 1928. Is that correct? If so on pag e 259 which is June, it states that all break rods have been changed from adjustable to nonadjustable type. So if I have read THAT correctly any vehicle after June 1928 should have NON adjustable rods on? I must say that all I have ever seen are the adjustable type rods.

On to the second part of my post which pertains to the length of the rods and the Service Bulletins state "the length of the rod should be
51 7/16" to 51 1/2" but the illustration shows centerto center with the same dimensions. Would this not be two different dimensions? If the length is stated as such would that not be longer than center to center?

Thanks to all for your time.

[Patrick L.]

It is my understanding [without looking] that some very early 'A's' had non-adjustable brake rods. I don't think that lasted too long. When adjusting I start with the rods being 51.5" center to center.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

I'm trying to get the very most from my mechanical brakes.

The "Model A Ford Service Bulletins" start in January which I'm assuming is in the year of 1928. Is that correct? If so on pag e 259 which is June, it states that all break rods have been changed from adjustable to nonadjustable type. So if I have read THAT correctly any vehicle after June 1928 should have NON adjustable rods on? I must say that all I have ever seen are the adjustable type rods.

On to the second part of my post which pertains to the length of the rods and the Service Bulletins state "the length of the rod should be
51 7/16" to 51 1/2" but the illustration shows centerto center with the same dimensions. Would this not be two different dimensions? If the length is stated as such would that not be longer than center to center?

Thanks to all for your time.

Those were only a short run design change before they went to the type brake rod you are accustomed to seeing.

Do not get overly concerned with the eye-to-eye length at this point since your system is "used" but set the rods up where they are all equal. From there, make sure the actuator arms are in the forward position, and then see how the clevis pins align to the service brake cross-shaft. The biggest key is you do not want excessive "lost motion" in the system, and you need the actuator arms in the position where the maximum amount of leverage is made when they are in full activation.

.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Anything with functional holes is measured center to center of the holes so that is in fact the functional "length" from an engineering standpoint. This is similar to screws and bolts where "length" is from the surface of the item which the head would clamp, to the threaded end. This should always be the case unless something says "overall length".




As Brent said, the solid rods were only used for a short time. They were only used with the '28 equalizing system which was used until late '28. In fact, fixed length rods will ONLY work the equalizer system as the system functions by taking up any slack going to each wheel and then applying equal or even mechanical pressure to each of the four wheels. It is NOT possible to have all the rods the same exact length with the solid brake cross shaft AND have properly functioning brakes.

[ctvpa]

There is a great video "How to stop on a dime with a Model A" it takes you through all of the tricks. If you want to borrow it, PM me and I will loan it to you.
However, that being said, I did all the recommendations in the video and my breaks were 60% improved. Then I went to the Flathead Teds http://www.flatheadted.com/ and got the deluxe set front and rear, and now I can leave skid marks with all 4 tires. Snyders carries his product, Mike's a-fordable has a knockoff, but when I bought mine it was cheaper to buy them direct from Ted's website, then came in about 14 days.

[Cape Codder]

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So what you guys are saying is that our beloved Model A Service Bulletins is wrong. It starts out by saying"[I]BRAKE RODS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED MAKING THEM INTO A SOLID NONADJUSTABLE TYPE.

To me that means the book is telling us that they were adjustable and then went to solid nonadjustable in June. Sooooooo………is our Model A Bible wrong?

Thanks for your time and understanding but I'm just trying to understand "the Book"

[QGolden]

I am on the road and do not have my service bulletins with me, but I think if you continue to search you will find the switch to the later rods that '29-'31 A's have.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

So what you guys are saying is that our beloved Model A Service Bulletins is wrong. It starts out by saying"[I]BRAKE RODS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED MAKING THEM INTO A SOLID NONADJUSTABLE TYPE.

To me that means the book is telling us that they were adjustable and then went to solid nonadjustable in June. Sooooooo………is our Model A Bible wrong?

Thanks for your time and understanding but I'm just trying to understand "the Book"

The SERVICE BULLETINS are correct. The Model A started with adjustable brake rods, then when the new brake system (with the seperate parking brake lining) came out about mid 1928 Ford went to the non-adjustable rods. Then when the new one piece brake cross shaft came out in November 1928, Ford went back to the adjustable rods. The non adjustable rods are somewhat hard to find, but I finally found mine when I went to Bert's several years ago.

[RonC]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

So what you guys are saying is that our beloved Model A Service Bulletins is wrong. It starts out by saying"[I]BRAKE RODS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED MAKING THEM INTO A SOLID NONADJUSTABLE TYPE.

To me that means the book is telling us that they were adjustable and then went to solid nonadjustable in June. Sooooooo………is our Model A Bible wrong?

Thanks for your time and understanding but I'm just trying to understand "the Book"

As mentioned Ford went back to adjustable rods. Not every change is mentioned in the bulletins. The Service Bulletins, issued monthly by Ford since 1919 to the branches, were not the only document issued. Ford also issued Service Letters daily. There were also engineering releases and drawings produced for each part. Ford also had training classes, parts books, etc.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

So what you guys are saying is that our beloved Model A Service Bulletins is wrong. It starts out by saying"[I]BRAKE RODS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED MAKING THEM INTO A SOLID NONADJUSTABLE TYPE.

To me that means the book is telling us that they were adjustable and then went to solid nonadjustable in June. Sooooooo………is our Model A Bible wrong?

Thanks for your time and understanding but I'm just trying to understand "the Book"

Ok, you lost me. They were correct as we noted/answered following your question. Were you looking for them to note FUTURE, unknown as yet changes on that date? I'm definitely confused!!!

[Brentwood Bob]

What is the month and year of your car? Bob

[Cape Codder]

Tom - thanks for your excellent explanation. I actually did not read far enough in the Bulletins to find that information.

Brent and Marco - I was thrown off by your reply when you said that they started solid, when in fact they were adjustable at the start, solid and then adjustable to the end as Tom explained.

Thanks again Tom, your reply made me read the Bulletins further.

Brentwood Bob - I have a '31 month unknown.

Marco - On page 82 of the Bulletins it does state"the length of the rod measured from the centerline of both eyes should then be adjusted to not more than 51 7/16" or less than 52 1/2" "as you tried to explain. Sorry I'm not an engineer so I didn't know anything about functional "length".

I want to Thank everyone for their input and am now much better versed on the brake system of the Model A and the changes that transpired.

Thanks again.

[Patrick L.]

There tends to be 2 methods for adjustment.
I set each wheel adjustment as I want it, then use a brake adjusting board and adjust the length of each rod for the amount of drag I want.

[ericr]

I'd like to see an explanation of why the Service Bulletins, which often go into great detail about repairs, give no mention to brake restoration aspects that we read about in the Barn such as lubing the parts, centering the brake shoes, etc.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

There tends to be 2 methods for adjustment.
I set each wheel adjustment as I want it, then use a brake adjusting board and adjust the length of each rod for the amount of drag I want.

Good luck with the board "trick", you'll NEED it!
Bill W.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by ericr

I'd like to see an explanation of why the Service Bulletins, which often go into great detail about repairs, give no mention to brake restoration aspects that we read about in the Barn such as lubing the parts, centering the brake shoes, etc.

The SERVICE BULLETINS mention production changes or repairs that should be made to recently built parts. They don't and couldn't at the time mention repairs due to long term wear.

[Bob C]

The March, April, May 1933 SERVICE BULLETIN says two new gauges, AB-117 and AB-118, have been designed for checking the concentricity of the brake assembly.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

The Service Bulletin Book would be this, l-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------l, thick, if it was re-written for 80 SOMETHING year old cars!!!!! Bill W.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Tom - thanks for your excellent explanation. I actually did not read far enough in the Bulletins to find that information.

Brent and Marco - I was thrown off by your reply when you said that they started solid, when in fact they were adjustable at the start, solid and then adjustable to the end as Tom explained.

Thanks again Tom, your reply made me read the Bulletins further.

Brentwood Bob - I have a '31 month unknown.

Marco - On page 82 of the Bulletins it does state"the length of the rod measured from the centerline of both eyes should then be adjusted to not more than 51 7/16" or less than 52 1/2" "as you tried to explain. Sorry I'm not an engineer so I didn't know anything about functional "length".

I want to Thank everyone for their input and am now much better versed on the brake system of the Model A and the changes that transpired.

Thanks again.

I honestly don't think I said that!!??

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