Service Brake Rod Between Pedal and Cross-shaft

[Ed in Maine]

I am putting new brake rods on a 31 Cabriolet restoration. I have the length of the rods to the wheels from the Mechanics Handbook Vol 1 but they don't mention the length of the rod from the pedal to the cross-shaft. How long should this rod be set at? Thank you, Ed

[Keith True]

You set the rod so that the cross shaft arms are vertical.NOT some arbitrary number.There are dozens of places that have .010 wear after 90 years,and that number is in the rear view mirror.Same thing with the rods to the wheels.Ford didn't do away with the one piece rods in early 28 because it was cheaper,it costs more to add adjustable parts.They found early on it wasn't going to work.You set them to fit your car,as needed.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Keith True

You set the rod so that the cross shaft arms are vertical.NOT some arbitrary number.There are dozens of places that have .010 wear after 90 years,and that number is in the rear view mirror.Same thing with the rods to the wheels.Ford didn't do away with the one piece rods in early 28 because it was cheaper,it costs more to add adjustable parts.They found early on it wasn't going to work.You set them to fit your car,as needed.

What Keith said in his first sentence. I see many go thru the whole routine of setting up their brakes but neglect to set the cross shaft levers vertical and wonder why their brakes don’t work properly.

[Steve Schmauch]

Ed, you should also adjust the rod connecting to the brake pedal so that both the clutch and brake pedal are in alignment.

[Tom F OHIO]

When I push on the brake pedal my brake lights don't come on. I have to push the
pedal pretty hard so my brake lights come on. What can I adjust to get my brake lights
to come when I push the brake pedal just a little. Thanks....

[jw hash]

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on the 30-31 you adjust the rod so that when the pedal is up, the plunger on the end of rod pushes the brake light switch in but does hit the cross member. the brake pedal stops on the bell housing. then you adjust your clutch pedal to the brake pedal. sometimes you have weld and file down the collar.

[shiver]

Tack weld the clevis pins to insure they don’t come out..it’s the only spot where one cotter and clevis pin failure can cause complete brake failure

[shiver]

Too much time on my hands

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by shiver

Too much time on my hands

What are you showing us?

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by shiver

Too much time on my hands

Vise Grips ARE a period tool to the Model A.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locking_pliers

You could be judged but almost certain you won't win.

Joe K

[nkaminar]

I worked on a car that had the wrong rod between the brake pedal and the cross shaft. The end of the rod was hitting the cross frame member and preventing the brakes from being fully functional. I shortened it with a hack saw.

[Tom F OHIO]

Thanks for the suggestions I will look at it again and try these.

[Russell Reay]

Originally Posted by Tom F OHIO

When I push on the brake pedal my brake lights don't come on. I have to push the
pedal pretty hard so my brake lights come on. What can I adjust to get my brake lights
to come when I push the brake pedal just a little. Thanks....

I had the same problem. The 3 holes in the frame and three holes in the switch were not in correct alignment, and the plunger dragged on the side of its hole. I ground the middle hole larger and solved the problem

[Tom F OHIO]

Thanks Russ