The Ford Barn

California Charlie · 11-14-2017, 09:18 PM

Hi Guys,
Continuing forward with my Model A Hydraulic Brake conversion.

Not for the weak of heart.

Not an effort I would ever attempt again, but too much $ invested in conversion parts at this point in time. I'm at the point of no return. The biggest issue I've had is stopping the rear wheel drums from rubbing the backing plates. Many trial and error trips to the machine shop to have the inner drum rim machined down. No one has yet to tell me how much of that inner rim I can possibly have machined down, except for the 1/8 and 1/16" instructions that come with a Model A Ford Hydraulic Brake manual.

Anyway, I'm now at the point where I can have my drums stop rubbing my backing by adding a single axle shim, but I've been told "NEVER DO THAT". So I'm at the point of going back to the machine shop for further machining. That's my only other option.

So my questions are:
1. Do you think using an axle shim is definitely not acceptable.

2. How much would be the "Maximum" amount of material I can remove from the inner drum ring. So far I've gone 1/4 and 1/16th inches.

Thanks for all who participate with providing answers to my Hydraulic Brake Conversion problem.

11-14-2017, 09:18 PM	#1
California Charlie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 162	To Axle Shim or not to Axle Shim-That is the Question Hi Guys, Continuing forward with my Model A Hydraulic Brake conversion. Not for the weak of heart. Not an effort I would ever attempt again, but too much $ invested in conversion parts at this point in time. I'm at the point of no return. The biggest issue I've had is stopping the rear wheel drums from rubbing the backing plates. Many trial and error trips to the machine shop to have the inner drum rim machined down. No one has yet to tell me how much of that inner rim I can possibly have machined down, except for the 1/8 and 1/16" instructions that come with a Model A Ford Hydraulic Brake manual. Anyway, I'm now at the point where I can have my drums stop rubbing my backing by adding a single axle shim, but I've been told "NEVER DO THAT". So I'm at the point of going back to the machine shop for further machining. That's my only other option. So my questions are: 1. Do you think using an axle shim is definitely not acceptable. 2. How much would be the "Maximum" amount of material I can remove from the inner drum ring. So far I've gone 1/4 and 1/16th inches. Thanks for all who participate with providing answers to my Hydraulic Brake Conversion problem.