15 Degree's of Separation

[marc hildebrant]

Group,

I have adjusted my brakes in the past, but never "worked" on them.

While at a Model A club meeting, a member remarked that my front brakes were not inclined forward 15 degree's at rest.

I do not know the condition of my brakes accept that they were worked on in the past and stop well today.

How hard is it to adjust the brakes for 15 degree's ?

Marc

[Keith True]

The 15 degree inclination of the lever is set by the condition of the cup in the cross shaft,the operating rod through the kingpin,and wedge.A couple of other things come into play,but that is most of it.You can add pills,build up the rod,replace the cross shaft and wedge,but it's not something you're just going to adjust out.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I would buy two new brake push rods and install them when you install the new kingpin bushings. If the brakes work fine now, then I wouldn't take them apart just to get the 15* angle for the arm.

[marc hildebrant]

Tom and/or others

How difficult is it to replace the kingpin bushings for a "first time-er"

The kingpins are worn some....

Marc

[jkeesey]

The kingpin job isn't too hard but is time consuming. the 15 degrees at rest is with the brake rod disconnected and shoes adjusted to operating condition, if the rod is attached it may pull up from the 15 degrees.

[Tom Endy]

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Originally Posted by marc hildebrant

Tom and/or others

How difficult is it to replace the kingpin bushings for a "first time-er"

The kingpins are worn some....

Marc

Replacing king pin bushings is not a difficult task. You will need a bushing reamer or you can take the spindles to a machine shop and have them honed to have the king pins fit the new bushings. In most cases you do not have to replace the king pins as they are hardened and the bushings are soft. The majority of the wear is to the bushings.

You should also replace the thrust bearing in each spindle. You will also have to add shims as the replacement thrust bearings are not as thick as the originals. When ordering parts obtain a number of extra shims as you will probably have to add a number of shims depending on wear to the spindle surfaces.

There is an article that may help you. Go to www.ocmafc.com (Orange County Model A Ford Club web site) On the menu at left scroll to "tech articles" and click. It will bring up a new menu. At the top is my name, click on it and it will bring up a list of articles. Scroll down to the one titled "king pin geometry" and click.

You are welcome to download the article and use it.

Tom Endy

[1931 flamingo]

IF you do this, have the bushings honed, much cheaper than buying a reamer for one time use. How much play do you have that you've determined the king pins are worn??
With the brakes as they are now, do they work and do you stop?? You may be opening a can of worms determined on one individuals opinion. JMO
Paul in CT

[Tom Wesenberg]

Marc, as mentioned, it's not too bad a job. Your's could easily wait until you lay the car up for winter, if you'd like. As Tom mentioned, I'd order the kit without the kingpins, then you'll be ready for the job.

[marc hildebrant]

Thanks for the comments !

Marc