The Ford Barn

DKnapp · 02-06-2024, 12:11 AM

The brake adjusting shafts that attach to the brake shoes are real loose in the backing plate sockets. Is this normal. I can not imagine that these sockets get much wear as these shafts only move when adjusting the brakes.
Should I try to shim these sockets so the shafts fit better or is this supposed to be a real loose fit so the brake shoes floats a bit. Any help appreciated.
Thanks, Dick

Phil Brown · 02-06-2024, 12:56 AM

The shafts are a loose fit with a tapered shaft like the catalog pic shows. Probably more important is how worn the ends of the shaft are from 90 years of brake adjustments and the length of the pair of shafts should be very close to the same

nkaminar · 02-06-2024, 07:19 AM

Loose is good. It allows the shoe centers to be controlled by the rollers on the shafts at the actuating end.

Bob Bidonde · 02-06-2024, 09:34 AM

Ditto nKaminar. Loose Brake Adjusting Shafts help the brake shoes find center when the brakes are applied. Install Flathead Ted's Brake Floater Kit and you will be amazed at how much better your A's brakes perform.

DKnapp · 02-06-2024, 11:15 AM

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Thanks Phil, Nkaminar and Bob

02-06-2024, 12:56 AM	#2
Phil Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee Calif. Posts: 510	Re: loose brake adjusting shafts The shafts are a loose fit with a tapered shaft like the catalog pic shows. Probably more important is how worn the ends of the shaft are from 90 years of brake adjustments and the length of the pair of shafts should be very close to the same

02-06-2024, 07:19 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: loose brake adjusting shafts Loose is good. It allows the shoe centers to be controlled by the rollers on the shafts at the actuating end. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-06-2024, 09:34 AM	#4
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,472	Re: loose brake adjusting shafts Ditto nKaminar. Loose Brake Adjusting Shafts help the brake shoes find center when the brakes are applied. Install Flathead Ted's Brake Floater Kit and you will be amazed at how much better your A's brakes perform. __________________ Bob Bidonde

02-06-2024, 11:15 AM	#5
DKnapp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 450	Re: loose brake adjusting shafts Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks Phil, Nkaminar and Bob