The Ford Barn

bobbader · 08-02-2022, 10:09 PM

Since this discussion is about brakes, I find it appropriate to say

WHOA !!!!!!!!!!

While you folks all have good suggestions, it sounds to me like the author of the post may not be savvy on brake work, per se ........ and by asking how easy it is to remove drums, he is suggesting he's not at all familiar with Model A brakes. Again, I say WHOA !!!!!!

Before ripping everything apart, it is not unheard of for squeals to come out of one brake housing (or more) that is not stopping quite as well as the others, The squeal can be from something as simple as brake dust that is making noise because the shoes on that particular brake are not pressing hard enough onto the drum to displace the dust while the others are stopping the car.

So, before ripping everything apart, I would suggest jacking up both front and rear axles, setting both axles down on sturdy jack stands, and asking another person to sit in the driver's seat. Once your helper is firmly seated, have them step on the brake and hold it all the way down as if stopping the car. Now, author of this post, while your heper is holding the pedal firmly down, walk around to each tire and attempt to rotate it. Some may be in full locked braking position while others may turn freely ........ or with some drag. If the brakes are set up as per original Model A specs, both rear brakes should be "locked up" and will not turn and both front brakes might be locked up or should turn with a good amount of resistance. The resistance should be equal from one side of the car to the other. If there is variance in this outcome for one or more wheels, it's time to brush up on correct Model A brake adjustment procedures. This is not always as easy to comprehend as "ABC" so time should be spent in studying the procedure as well as going through the process systematically. As posted elsewhere in this thread, Les Andrews Model A Manual is a great source of information about this.

If a good brake adjustment doesn't cure the noise (or if any part of the procedure does not work as suggested to adjust each wheel) ................ THEN further disassembly and exploration ........... and following all the solutions offered here by others is the next step.

This is just my opinion after several years of experience diagnosing and rebuilding many Model A brake systems. Your experiences and results may vary.

Good Luck, Bob Bader

08-02-2022, 10:09 PM	#20
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 352	Re: Break noise. Since this discussion is about brakes, I find it appropriate to say WHOA !!!!!!!!!! While you folks all have good suggestions, it sounds to me like the author of the post may not be savvy on brake work, per se ........ and by asking how easy it is to remove drums, he is suggesting he's not at all familiar with Model A brakes. Again, I say WHOA !!!!!! Before ripping everything apart, it is not unheard of for squeals to come out of one brake housing (or more) that is not stopping quite as well as the others, The squeal can be from something as simple as brake dust that is making noise because the shoes on that particular brake are not pressing hard enough onto the drum to displace the dust while the others are stopping the car. So, before ripping everything apart, I would suggest jacking up both front and rear axles, setting both axles down on sturdy jack stands, and asking another person to sit in the driver's seat. Once your helper is firmly seated, have them step on the brake and hold it all the way down as if stopping the car. Now, author of this post, while your heper is holding the pedal firmly down, walk around to each tire and attempt to rotate it. Some may be in full locked braking position while others may turn freely ........ or with some drag. If the brakes are set up as per original Model A specs, both rear brakes should be "locked up" and will not turn and both front brakes might be locked up or should turn with a good amount of resistance. The resistance should be equal from one side of the car to the other. If there is variance in this outcome for one or more wheels, it's time to brush up on correct Model A brake adjustment procedures. This is not always as easy to comprehend as "ABC" so time should be spent in studying the procedure as well as going through the process systematically. As posted elsewhere in this thread, Les Andrews Model A Manual is a great source of information about this. If a good brake adjustment doesn't cure the noise (or if any part of the procedure does not work as suggested to adjust each wheel) ................ THEN further disassembly and exploration ........... and following all the solutions offered here by others is the next step. This is just my opinion after several years of experience diagnosing and rebuilding many Model A brake systems. Your experiences and results may vary. Good Luck, Bob Bader