The Ford Barn

Russell Reay · 08-07-2023, 08:08 AM

My huckster build is at the point it is almost ready to drive on the road. I rebuilt the front suspension and brakes A to Z , and am hoping for no surprises. From what I have learned about brake floaters, and positive comments from some of you in the audience, I foresee needing (or wanting) them. Several posts have referenced floaters by Flathead Ted, but some of our reputable vendors offer non-FHT ones. Recommendations requested.

hbrandon · 08-07-2023, 08:28 AM

Used on two cars. Very happy with them. Getting ready to do a third. H Brandon

Bob Bidonde · 08-07-2023, 08:31 AM

Flathead Ted's work the best in my opinion because both ends of each brake shoe float.

Russell Reay · 08-07-2023, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbrandon

Used on two cars. Very happy with them. Getting ready to do a third. H Brandon

Were yours FHT or another manufacturer?

nkaminar · 08-07-2023, 11:01 AM

I have the FHT floaters and they work well. I am not familiar with the other brands.

The brakes have to be in good shape before you put the floaters on them. Since you did the A to Z brake job, you should be good shape.

The turning of the drum helps to force the shoes against the drum, but only on one shoe for the stock brakes and the other shoe is actually forced away from the drum. The floaters allow both shoes to be helped by the turning of the drum, forward and reverse.

The stock brakes that are returned to factory condition do a good job, but even factory brakes can benefit from the floaters.

The modern understanding of how the brakes work puts more braking force on the front. This is because of the "weight transfer" to the front when braking. You can get about 25% less stopping distance by biasing the braking to the front rather than the rear. This means that the front brakes will start to drag first rather than the rear when you use the stick method of adjusting them.

bkensinger · 08-14-2023, 04:33 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I bought FHT and they do improve braking!

hbrandon · 08-16-2023, 04:50 PM

Bought from Snyders. Read about too many problems with FHT.

Oldgearz · 08-16-2023, 05:14 PM

I've put FHT's on my coupe. I have not had an easy time dialing everything in. But having said that, the brakes are much better now than before I did the work. The brakes on an A can be a constant frustration, but I believe in the aftermarket improvements such as FHT floaters.

Herb Concord Ca · 08-16-2023, 06:16 PM

We sell a DVD that explains how to modify (fix FTH) so the brake shoes won't stay locked.
Herb Neumann Diablo A's.

08-07-2023, 08:08 AM	#1
Russell Reay Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: NH/ VT Posts: 336	Brake floaters My huckster build is at the point it is almost ready to drive on the road. I rebuilt the front suspension and brakes A to Z , and am hoping for no surprises. From what I have learned about brake floaters, and positive comments from some of you in the audience, I foresee needing (or wanting) them. Several posts have referenced floaters by Flathead Ted, but some of our reputable vendors offer non-FHT ones. Recommendations requested.

08-07-2023, 08:28 AM	#2
hbrandon Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 16	Re: Brake floaters Used on two cars. Very happy with them. Getting ready to do a third. H Brandon

08-07-2023, 08:31 AM	#3
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,472	Re: Brake floaters Flathead Ted's work the best in my opinion because both ends of each brake shoe float. __________________ Bob Bidonde Last edited by Bob Bidonde; 08-17-2023 at 09:47 AM.

08-07-2023, 11:01 AM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: Brake floaters I have the FHT floaters and they work well. I am not familiar with the other brands. The brakes have to be in good shape before you put the floaters on them. Since you did the A to Z brake job, you should be good shape. The turning of the drum helps to force the shoes against the drum, but only on one shoe for the stock brakes and the other shoe is actually forced away from the drum. The floaters allow both shoes to be helped by the turning of the drum, forward and reverse. The stock brakes that are returned to factory condition do a good job, but even factory brakes can benefit from the floaters. The modern understanding of how the brakes work puts more braking force on the front. This is because of the "weight transfer" to the front when braking. You can get about 25% less stopping distance by biasing the braking to the front rather than the rear. This means that the front brakes will start to drag first rather than the rear when you use the stick method of adjusting them. __________________ 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. Last edited by nkaminar; 08-07-2023 at 11:08 AM.

08-14-2023, 04:33 PM	#6
bkensinger Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 26	Re: Brake floaters Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I bought FHT and they do improve braking! __________________ /Users/RobertKensinger/Desktop/thumbnail_IMG_0296.jpg

08-16-2023, 04:50 PM	#7
hbrandon Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 16	Re: Brake floaters Bought from Snyders. Read about too many problems with FHT.

08-16-2023, 05:14 PM	#8
Oldgearz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Sagle, Idaho Posts: 359	Re: Brake floaters I've put FHT's on my coupe. I have not had an easy time dialing everything in. But having said that, the brakes are much better now than before I did the work. The brakes on an A can be a constant frustration, but I believe in the aftermarket improvements such as FHT floaters.

08-16-2023, 06:16 PM	#9
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 637	Re: Brake floaters We sell a DVD that explains how to modify (fix FTH) so the brake shoes won't stay locked. Herb Neumann Diablo A's.