Hydraulic Brakes over Mechanical

[dan]

I drove my Model A coupe to work in the CA Bay Area three days a week on my 17-mile round-trip commute. Of course, it wasn't on the freeway, but it was in CA traffic with CA drivers, where a left turn signal frequently means a right turn and where a space between two vehicles that's more than four feet is an invitation to merge. It's the state where the main requirement to get a driver's license is that you're breathing, not that you're sentient.


Properly adjusted mechanical brakes were perfectly sufficient to keep me out of trouble over the four years I was making that drive. I drove very defensively and was always aware of my surroundings. At the time, I treated driving my Model A like riding my motorcycle along that same route—pay careful attention, expect the other guy to do something unexpected, and don’t take anything for granted. Personally, I drive my modern, ABS-equipped, crumple-zoned, airbag-capable modern car exactly the same way.


If you aren’t capable or confident adjusting mechanical brakes, get assistance from the expert in your local club. If you can lock up all four wheels, hydraulic brakes aren’t going to do any better. The same advice holds true if you decide to go hydraulic. If you’re not confident, get help from someone who knows what they’re doing. Poorly adjusted hydraulic brakes aren’t any safer than poorly adjusted mechanicals.

[Jim Brierley]

Originally Posted by The Master Cylinder

Wouldn't the same be true with hydraulics? With brakes there are no shortcuts.

That's a big advantage of hydraulics, adjust them at each wheel and they are ready. Mechanicals require having all the rods, clevis's, etc. in very good condition, difficult to do 90 years after production.

[GeneBob]

I just designed a kit to put GM metric calipers on all four corners of my Model A. It uses the original spindles, hubs, steering components and the original parking brake rods. I am just starting to test it through normal driving and abusive braking.
My initial impression is that the braking power is not a lot stronger than stock but the brakes are much smoother in operation than the original mechanical drums. My estimated cost to install is in neighborhood of $900 for the front axle and more for the rear. (I haven't figured out the price yet but probably $1100 for the rear.)
When you buy one of the numerous existing kits, you need to replace the front and rear hubs, the front spindles and steering linkage (for disc brakes) and buy a cable adapter for the rear parking brake set up. I am approaching this as a Model A only kit to minimize the extra parts that need to be purchased.

[ModelAArmy]

Keep us posted on your progress with this kit.