The Ford Barn

ricklove · 07-03-2015, 11:49 AM

1948 tudor sedan street rod w/GM 12 bolt rear-end and stock e-bake handle. Had it in the shop to make the e-brake work. They fabricated cable hook-ups, etc, etc, etc; but it still doesn't "hold" the car. When the handle is pulled, it has all of the "sensation" that all is working, but isn't. Shop says that there is always problems with new shoes & hubs, etc and it will work eventually as the shoes seat and "wear-down". Sounds like a crock to me, but I'm NOT a mechanic. Any input???

19Fordy · 07-03-2015, 11:59 AM

I bet the cable is too long. Hope they used as much of the OEM system as possible.
Here's how to adjust the stock 40 ford ebrake. Yours may be similiar.

waterboychuck · 07-03-2015, 05:52 PM

I ordered this product from Speedway. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-...ble,67521.html

I just received it yesterday and cannot get to installing it for some time, but I do agree that your new shoes have to adjust. At least that is what I found on my 48 F1

Dick · 07-03-2015, 06:09 PM

I think it should hold if you can pull it tight enough. With it as tight as you can pull it is anything hitting a stop that keeps it from going tighter?
I installed the Lokar item waterboychuck gave the link to on my '49 F-1 and it preforms as expected, pretty easy to install also.
Good luck with this!

325w · 07-03-2015, 06:14 PM

E brakes work when they come straight out of the factory? No ( brake in ) needed? Ones I've had a problem with are usually not enough mechanical leverage.

fordor41 · 07-03-2015, 11:13 PM

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I had sort of same problem on my '41. Installed a Ford 9" and ran e-brake cables to an approximate point to where the original met the cable to the handle. Would pull tight but wouldn't lock up the rears. Finally shortened the front cable and moved it forward beside the transmission and it worked OK. May have something to do with the angle of the cable that loops from the two rear drums

ricklove · 07-04-2015, 08:16 AM

Many thanks for the info!

ricklove · 07-18-2015, 09:56 AM

Went for a 200 mile lunch drive yesterday in 98 degree temps. For some unknown reason, when I got home I felt my front rims. Seemed to be slightly above warm to the touch. The rear rims were hot!! Might the mechanics have adjusted the rear shoes too tight in an effort to make the e-brake work? Thanks!

gmc1941 · 07-19-2015, 10:08 AM

Had the same problem. What I did was to take any excess out of the cable and housing. The cable isn't trying to straighten out the housing or other words the cable isn't fighting the housing.

dick lyons · 07-19-2015, 10:55 AM

Press pedal firmly and at same time pull handle hard. It holds my 48 coupe hold on my driveway.

flatheadmurre · 07-19-2015, 11:07 AM

Its all about leverage and movement.
If your brakes are designed for a short throw and a high tension now bolted togetter with a longe throw low tension handle...handle seems firm but not giving enough power to the brakes.

Find out how much movement and tension the parts was designed for and if you got movement and need force build a lever under somewhere.

07-03-2015, 11:49 AM	#1
ricklove Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Columbus MS Posts: 241	E-brake Problem/Question 1948 tudor sedan street rod w/GM 12 bolt rear-end and stock e-bake handle. Had it in the shop to make the e-brake work. They fabricated cable hook-ups, etc, etc, etc; but it still doesn't "hold" the car. When the handle is pulled, it has all of the "sensation" that all is working, but isn't. Shop says that there is always problems with new shoes & hubs, etc and it will work eventually as the shoes seat and "wear-down". Sounds like a crock to me, but I'm NOT a mechanic. Any input???

07-03-2015, 05:52 PM	#3
waterboychuck Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nine Mile Falls,WA Posts: 900	Re: E-brake Problem/Question I ordered this product from Speedway. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-...ble,67521.html I just received it yesterday and cannot get to installing it for some time, but I do agree that your new shoes have to adjust. At least that is what I found on my 48 F1 __________________ The sign of a good craftsman is how well they cover up their mistakes.

07-03-2015, 06:09 PM	#4
Dick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Deer Lodge, MT Posts: 658	Re: E-brake Problem/Question I think it should hold if you can pull it tight enough. With it as tight as you can pull it is anything hitting a stop that keeps it from going tighter? I installed the Lokar item waterboychuck gave the link to on my '49 F-1 and it preforms as expected, pretty easy to install also. Good luck with this!

07-03-2015, 06:14 PM	#5
325w Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 379	Re: E-brake Problem/Question E brakes work when they come straight out of the factory? No ( brake in ) needed? Ones I've had a problem with are usually not enough mechanical leverage.

07-03-2015, 11:13 PM	#6
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,517	Re: E-brake Problem/Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had sort of same problem on my '41. Installed a Ford 9" and ran e-brake cables to an approximate point to where the original met the cable to the handle. Would pull tight but wouldn't lock up the rears. Finally shortened the front cable and moved it forward beside the transmission and it worked OK. May have something to do with the angle of the cable that loops from the two rear drums

07-04-2015, 08:16 AM	#7
ricklove Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Columbus MS Posts: 241	Re: E-brake Problem/Question Many thanks for the info!

07-18-2015, 09:56 AM	#8
ricklove Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Columbus MS Posts: 241	Re: E-brake Problem/Question Went for a 200 mile lunch drive yesterday in 98 degree temps. For some unknown reason, when I got home I felt my front rims. Seemed to be slightly above warm to the touch. The rear rims were hot!! Might the mechanics have adjusted the rear shoes too tight in an effort to make the e-brake work? Thanks!

07-19-2015, 10:08 AM	#9
gmc1941 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Palatine, Il Posts: 486	Re: E-brake Problem/Question Had the same problem. What I did was to take any excess out of the cable and housing. The cable isn't trying to straighten out the housing or other words the cable isn't fighting the housing. __________________ 1939 Fordor Deluxe 1939 Ford Coupe Std 1940 Ford pickup Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.

07-19-2015, 10:55 AM	#10
dick lyons Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: middletown, delaware Posts: 109	Re: E-brake Problem/Question Press pedal firmly and at same time pull handle hard. It holds my 48 coupe hold on my driveway. __________________ MNSHNR

07-19-2015, 11:07 AM	#11
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: E-brake Problem/Question Its all about leverage and movement. If your brakes are designed for a short throw and a high tension now bolted togetter with a longe throw low tension handle...handle seems firm but not giving enough power to the brakes. Find out how much movement and tension the parts was designed for and if you got movement and need force build a lever under somewhere.