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Old 12-17-2023, 11:22 PM   #1
700rpm
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Default Brake adjustment?

My coupe is pulling slightly to the left when braking. I’m 78 and losing my memory and I can’t remember which way to turn the adjustments to correct that. Please advise this old guy.
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Old 12-17-2023, 11:31 PM   #2
Gary WA
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

for left to back off, wrench will go to the rear. while in front of vehicle or for the right side pull wrench to the front while in front of vehicle
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Old 12-17-2023, 11:34 PM   #3
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

Turning the wedge clockwise expands the brake shoes closer to the brake drum, at least the top part of the brake shoes, that is. You need to either back off the left side to stop pulling in that direction (turn the adjuster counter-clockwise) or tighten the right side wedge one or more clicks to even things out. It's usually the fronts that require adjusting more than the rears. So, start there and see if that corrects the pulling.
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Old 12-18-2023, 06:34 AM   #4
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

Ray, Ask a knowledgeable person in your local club to help.
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Old 12-18-2023, 10:25 AM   #5
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

HI Aeyers

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Righty tighty- loose lefty
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Old 12-18-2023, 11:34 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
Ray, Ask a knowledgeable person in your local club to help.
I’m not a member of a local club.
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Old 12-18-2023, 11:38 AM   #7
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

Thanks guys. Will adjust today or tomorrow and report back.
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Old 12-18-2023, 12:40 PM   #8
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

With apologies up front, Ray, maybe it is time you did joined a club.

Age brings limitations, but with your life time experience with Model A's, it's kinda selfish to keep all that talent to yourself. Meet some of the guys for coffee once a week and talk about your mutual passion. (You & the Model A need the exercise.)Maybe there is someone in the group that needs a Model A Mentor.......and might be half your age to assist with those pesky Model A get out & under projects.

This age thing sucks, doing it alone, worse.
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Old 12-18-2023, 01:10 PM   #9
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

By the way, the adjustment is MUCH easier if you have a dedicated Model A brake wedge adjusting tool. The one sold by most vendors is too short in my opinion. Leverage is lost unless you slip a length of long pipe over the shaft to increase pulling power. Sometimes those wedges can be bears to turn without the proper leverage. Using a 1/2" open end wrench, crescent wrench or even vise grips makes the job more difficult due to slippage and space limitations. I use an old tool specifically made for adjusting brakes back in the day. Its multi-teeth compensate for worn edges on the normally square-shouldered adjusting wedge. These tools turn up at swap meets quite frequently for a dollar or two.
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Old 12-18-2023, 11:25 PM   #10
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Default Re: Brake adjustment?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jb-ob View Post
With apologies up front, Ray, maybe it is time you did joined a club.

Age brings limitations, but with your life time experience with Model A's, it's kinda selfish to keep all that talent to yourself. Meet some of the guys for coffee once a week and talk about your mutual passion. (You & the Model A need the exercise.)Maybe there is someone in the group that needs a Model A Mentor.......and might be half your age to assist with those pesky Model A get out & under projects.

This age thing sucks, doing it alone, worse.
Thanks JB. Good thoughts. I do mentor my grandchildren as much as possible. I was a member of the local chapter for 50 years, and a member of MAFCA For 60. I dropped out of both because I had done literally everything I could do in either of those organizations, and it got boring and repetitive. With memory loss I realized I really had nothing more to contribute. I don’t think I’m being selfish, just realistic. There are many who are much more knowledgeable than I. I miss some of the activities, but from deaths and age, I have lost or moved away from old friendships and acquaintances and the associated demands. Now I just get my cars out and drive ‘em when and where I like, and the sheer joy of talking with people who smile and wave and admire the cars is reward enough for now.
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Last edited by 700rpm; 12-18-2023 at 11:39 PM.
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