Brake pills add how many degrees?

[Curtis in MA]

My brake arms are vertical at rest, not the 15% recommended. How many pills do I add?

[Ron in Quincy]

I believe the angle is 7 degrees forward of center.

Remove the brake rod, operate the lever by hand, add 2 0r 3 pills and check arm location, continue adding or removing 1 pill at a time until arm is correct.

When the correct angle is obtained, adjust brake rod length.

Ron

[Barry B./ Ma.]

(Probably not more than 2, you can get into trouble (like dragging brakes) if you add too many.

[1955cj5]

Les Andrews' section on service brake adjustment recommends 15° forward tilt on the actuating arm with all slack removed..... section 2 page 3

He first recommends a new 7 1/4" operating pin.

I used new pins and still had to add pills to get the 15° forward tilt.

[SeaSlugs]

yea i think the pins bouncing and vibrating act like a drill into the wedge. i have 2 pills on one side and 1 pill on the other to get ~15" tilt. straight up and down should be a firm lockup.

[Growley bear]

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I adjust my front brakes so that when the arm is vertical the wedge just comes into contact with the wedge stud. When released the arm will find its position relative to degrees.
Once the arm is vertical any more movement past center gains no mechanical advantage.
When the arm is vertical the cam should be horizontal. Any movement past this point is a drop over center and will cause the pushrod to be pushed sideways and enough arm movement will cause the pushrod to bend.
Try this:
Without the shoes installed to get in the way, install the arm w/shaft/cam and the rod and the wedge on the stud with the stud tight. Hold the arm vertical and push the wedge to the end of its movement. The space between the end of the rod and the wedge socket is the space that needs to be filled. Too many pills is not a good idea as the socket becomes very shallow and the pushrod could become displaced.

[CarlG]

I have one pill on one side and none on the other to achieve the 15 degree forward tilt.

[Curtis in MA]

Thanks all.
What I was looking for was the amount of degrees each would add.
So if I need 15 degrees and each pill adds 5 I'd put in 3.
Otherwise I will put in one, put the wheel back together, test it, take it apart, add another, put it back together, test it, etc.

[Mike V. Florida]

If you need more than one then it is my belief that you need new parts. Either the operation wedge and or the operating rod are badly worn.

[JaxFLG8r]

Okay. This thread is proof that there is always something to learn.

What, is a brake pill? Ed Williamson

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by JaxFLG8r

Okay. This thread is proof that there is always something to learn.

What, is a brake pill? Ed Williamson

When your front brake pin are worn you install brake shims or "pills" to return them to the proper length so you can achieve 15° on the lever. Best to install new pins rather than install a bunch of pills. http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/operating-pin-shims

[Curtis in MA]

I added two on each side so they stayed in the cup at the top of the wedge.
If that isn't enough I will get new pins.

Thanks

[Y-Blockhead]

Check the operating pin length, should be 7¼”

[Curtis in MA]

They are already in the car.

[Jerry in Shasta]

Differant idea, I cut an old brake rod to the the correct lenght plus a 1/4". Then ground it to fine tune the lenght. No pills needed
Just my W.A.G. at the problem

JB

[Y-Blockhead]

HAH!! Your too speedy. How'd it turn out?

Originally Posted by Curtis in MA

They are already in the car.

[Curtis in MA]

I still have to re-pack the bearings and put the hubs on.