The Ford Barn

steve hackel · 06-03-2017, 07:17 PM

I have a 31 coupe and also a 34 coupe, both with mechanical brakes. Can anyone tell me if all of the adjustments on the 34 would be the same as the standard model A' brakes, or are there specific issues I need to look at? I have all the industry standard books for an A', but there is little or nothing available for the 33/34 cars like there are for our model A's. Thanks, Steve

Bob C · 06-03-2017, 08:12 PM

Do you have the 1932-37 Service Bulletins?

Bob

steve hackel · 06-03-2017, 09:35 PM

No, I do not have any of those items.

H. L. Chauvin · 06-05-2017, 11:18 AM

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Hi Steve,

I have a "Motors Handbook of Specifications, Interchangeable Parts, and Service Instructions for 1934", by Edward H. Barry, Service Editor of Motor; where under Brake Adjustments, for 1934 Fords, mechanical brakes with brake rods are recommended to be adjusted a bit differently, but in a somewhat similar manner to that later advised for Model A Ford brake adjustments for mechanical brakes.

1. With brake drums cold, turn all four (4) brake adjusting screws at wheels clockwise until brake starts to drag; and then, back off one or two notches until drums turns freely; i.e., a minimum of 0.005" between brake drums and brake linings at "all" points.

2. Brake rod lengths will be later adjusted for each wheel, so disconnect all (4) brake rods at all (4) wheels and disconnect the brake rod at the brake pedal. (Insure emergency brake lever is far forward.)

3. At the centrally located brake cross shaft, position brake pin holes in the lower, front lever and brake pin hole in the upper, rear lever such that said four (4) centrally located brake pin holes in levers are aligned vertically from top to bottom.

4. Working on one (1) wheel at a time,

A. First push each one of this wheel's brake's, brake lever towards the centrally located brake cross rod, (taking up all of the play in this particular wheel's brake housing), and next pull this same wheel's corresponding brake rod towards this particular wheel, (until all of the play in the brake rod is eliminated), and finally adjust the length of this wheel's brake rod until this wheel's brake rod's clevis pin hole is 1/32", (0.031") nearer the centrally located brake cross shaft than the clevis pin hole in this wheel's clevis pin and replace this wheel's brake rod's pin. (Not more than 1/32", (0.031") should be allowed to assure slight brake rod tension.)

B. Repeat this same brake rod length adjustment for all four (4) wheels. This adjustment gives the maximum brake pedal adjustment, and places equal, slight tension forces on all four (4) wheels.

5. Adjust the brake pedal rod such that the pedal is all the way up.

6. The ideal brake setting is that in which, (after adjusting and turning each wheel's brake adjustment screw clockwise), with the least possible pedal pressure, all four (4) wheels slide at the same time when the car is traveling under (25) mph; and at speeds above (25) mph, only the rear wheels will slide after this adjustment.

7. At lower speeds, only the front wheels will lock when maximum pressure is suddenly placed on the brake pedal.

8. When new lining is installed, the shoes must be ground true.

Hope this can help with Ford's mechanical brakes.

06-03-2017, 07:17 PM	#1
steve hackel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: midlothian illinois Posts: 468	Model A' brakes & 1934 brakes - adjustments? I have a 31 coupe and also a 34 coupe, both with mechanical brakes. Can anyone tell me if all of the adjustments on the 34 would be the same as the standard model A' brakes, or are there specific issues I need to look at? I have all the industry standard books for an A', but there is little or nothing available for the 33/34 cars like there are for our model A's. Thanks, Steve

06-03-2017, 08:12 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,360	Re: Model A' brakes & 1934 brakes - adjustments? Do you have the 1932-37 Service Bulletins? Bob

06-03-2017, 09:35 PM	#3
steve hackel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: midlothian illinois Posts: 468	Re: Model A' brakes & 1934 brakes - adjustments? No, I do not have any of those items.

06-05-2017, 11:18 AM	#4
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Model A' brakes & 1934 brakes - adjustments? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hi Steve, I have a "Motors Handbook of Specifications, Interchangeable Parts, and Service Instructions for 1934", by Edward H. Barry, Service Editor of Motor; where under Brake Adjustments, for 1934 Fords, mechanical brakes with brake rods are recommended to be adjusted a bit differently, but in a somewhat similar manner to that later advised for Model A Ford brake adjustments for mechanical brakes. 1. With brake drums cold, turn all four (4) brake adjusting screws at wheels clockwise until brake starts to drag; and then, back off one or two notches until drums turns freely; i.e., a minimum of 0.005" between brake drums and brake linings at "all" points. 2. Brake rod lengths will be later adjusted for each wheel, so disconnect all (4) brake rods at all (4) wheels and disconnect the brake rod at the brake pedal. (Insure emergency brake lever is far forward.) 3. At the centrally located brake cross shaft, position brake pin holes in the lower, front lever and brake pin hole in the upper, rear lever such that said four (4) centrally located brake pin holes in levers are aligned vertically from top to bottom. 4. Working on one (1) wheel at a time, A. First push each one of this wheel's brake's, brake lever towards the centrally located brake cross rod, (taking up all of the play in this particular wheel's brake housing), and next pull this same wheel's corresponding brake rod towards this particular wheel, (until all of the play in the brake rod is eliminated), and finally adjust the length of this wheel's brake rod until this wheel's brake rod's clevis pin hole is 1/32", (0.031") nearer the centrally located brake cross shaft than the clevis pin hole in this wheel's clevis pin and replace this wheel's brake rod's pin. (Not more than 1/32", (0.031") should be allowed to assure slight brake rod tension.) B. Repeat this same brake rod length adjustment for all four (4) wheels. This adjustment gives the maximum brake pedal adjustment, and places equal, slight tension forces on all four (4) wheels. 5. Adjust the brake pedal rod such that the pedal is all the way up. 6. The ideal brake setting is that in which, (after adjusting and turning each wheel's brake adjustment screw clockwise), with the least possible pedal pressure, all four (4) wheels slide at the same time when the car is traveling under (25) mph; and at speeds above (25) mph, only the rear wheels will slide after this adjustment. 7. At lower speeds, only the front wheels will lock when maximum pressure is suddenly placed on the brake pedal. 8. When new lining is installed, the shoes must be ground true. Hope this can help with Ford's mechanical brakes.