The Ford Barn

Gerald cook · 06-01-2025, 12:56 PM

I need advice on how to proceed. I have upgraded my front brakes on my 29 Tudor to 32 front mechanical brakes. My concern is my brakes are dragging I have followed all the recommendations on for backing off all adjustments and linkage. Shoes are arced to drums. Should I just drive it like this until shoes are worn in? any help would be greatly appreciated Jerry

bobbader · 06-01-2025, 02:15 PM

Need more info. Maybe start at the beginning of the story .............

"I decided to put 1932 brakes on the front of my Model a because .............."
"The 32 brakes came off of ........................"
"The condition of the 32 brakes, when I got them .................."
"I did X-Y-Z to the 32 brakes to rebuild them ............"
"The 32 brake shoes are new and were arced on an arcing machine ......"
"I arced the shoes "by hand" following threads on Fordbarn"
"The 32 Drums were professionally cut"
" I followed this adjustment procedure ..................."
" The brake linings are new and the proper 3/16" thick (not 1/4")"

"Etc, Etc, Etc."

Kurt in NJ · 06-01-2025, 02:49 PM

are the tracks good— the shoes centered?

nkaminar · 06-01-2025, 05:07 PM

Look for something binding. You may have to shorten the adjustment rods a bit, 1 mm. Make sure the shoes are centered. Is the face of the drum rubbing on the shoes (look for witness marks)? Take the drums off and remove the brake rods. Work the arms and witness the brake action. Answer Bob's questions.

dave in australia · 06-02-2025, 12:51 AM

I don't know anything about the 32 brakes, but with stock 28-31 brakes, if you follow Paul Shinn's video, you'll have good brakes. With good well adjusted 28-31 brakes, the limiting factor is the width of the tyre.

johnbuckley · 06-02-2025, 03:27 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

how much are they dragging? If just "kissing" as you spin the cold drum that's about as good as one can expect. If noticeably difficult to turn then more investigation and info needed.

Bob Bidonde · 06-02-2025, 07:31 AM

These slides may help you.

nkaminar · 06-02-2025, 08:02 AM

Bob, Several people on the Barn have recommended only one "pill" (shim). In my car I put new pins in and one pill. The end of the pin can be welded up to give the 15 degrees angle.

The 15 degree angle should be with all slack taken up and so that any further movement aft will start to move the shoes.

Once the 15 degrees has been established and the length of the brake rods adjusted, the brake rods will not have be adjusted for a long time.

06-01-2025, 12:56 PM	#1
Gerald cook Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	Front brake Adjustment I need advice on how to proceed. I have upgraded my front brakes on my 29 Tudor to 32 front mechanical brakes. My concern is my brakes are dragging I have followed all the recommendations on for backing off all adjustments and linkage. Shoes are arced to drums. Should I just drive it like this until shoes are worn in? any help would be greatly appreciated Jerry

06-01-2025, 02:15 PM	#2
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 352	Re: Front brake Adjustment Need more info. Maybe start at the beginning of the story ............. "I decided to put 1932 brakes on the front of my Model a because .............." "The 32 brakes came off of ........................" "The condition of the 32 brakes, when I got them .................." "I did X-Y-Z to the 32 brakes to rebuild them ............" "The 32 brake shoes are new and were arced on an arcing machine ......" "I arced the shoes "by hand" following threads on Fordbarn" "The 32 Drums were professionally cut" " I followed this adjustment procedure ..................." " The brake linings are new and the proper 3/16" thick (not 1/4")" "Etc, Etc, Etc."

06-01-2025, 02:49 PM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,553	Re: Front brake Adjustment are the tracks good— the shoes centered?

06-01-2025, 05:07 PM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,854	Re: Front brake Adjustment Look for something binding. You may have to shorten the adjustment rods a bit, 1 mm. Make sure the shoes are centered. Is the face of the drum rubbing on the shoes (look for witness marks)? Take the drums off and remove the brake rods. Work the arms and witness the brake action. Answer Bob's questions. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-02-2025, 12:51 AM	#5
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,241	Re: Front brake Adjustment I don't know anything about the 32 brakes, but with stock 28-31 brakes, if you follow Paul Shinn's video, you'll have good brakes. With good well adjusted 28-31 brakes, the limiting factor is the width of the tyre.

06-02-2025, 03:27 AM	#6
johnbuckley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,556	Re: Front brake Adjustment Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) how much are they dragging? If just "kissing" as you spin the cold drum that's about as good as one can expect. If noticeably difficult to turn then more investigation and info needed. Last edited by johnbuckley; 06-02-2025 at 03:49 AM.

06-02-2025, 08:02 AM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,854	Re: Front brake Adjustment Bob, Several people on the Barn have recommended only one "pill" (shim). In my car I put new pins in and one pill. The end of the pin can be welded up to give the 15 degrees angle. The 15 degree angle should be with all slack taken up and so that any further movement aft will start to move the shoes. Once the 15 degrees has been established and the length of the brake rods adjusted, the brake rods will not have be adjusted for a long time. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.