Brake Pulling Question

[bcomo]

Kultulz:

Thanks very much for that information. Since I was going to remove the wheels and drums to check the brakes, those are easy things to try.

There are no self adjusters, and there is about 1500 miles on the brakes. I've adjusted them several times. I'll also check the backing plate when I pull the drums.

[KULTULZ]

You can buy the self adjuster changeover kits. This will take a lot of anxiety out of a car that came through with too small service brakes.

Can you describe to me how you go about adjusting your brakes?

[bcomo]

I adjust the shoes untill they drag against the drum, then I back off on the adjusting screw 14 to 16 turns.

[tbird430]

14-16 turns!! That seems a bit much Bart!

[bcomo]

14-16 turns!! That seems a bit much Bart!

Woops -- I meant notches "Clicks" of the starwheel adjuster.
(See 60 shop manual Page 10-4)

Good catch Jon

[KULTULZ]

I adjust the shoes untill they drag against the drum, then I back off on the adjusting screw 14 to 16 turns.

Let me make a suggestion here, and this will apply to new shoes and just a general brake adjustment.

Ratchet the adjuster up until the shoes are at full drum contact. Back-off the adjuster until you can spin the wheel asm approx, one half turn. Do all four wheels in this fashion.

Depress the brake pedal fully (this will center the shoes on the backing plate). Re-check the ability to spin each wheel (the rear will be more difficult of course) approx. one half turn (listen for amount of shoe drag). Tighten/loosen as necc.

It takes about one thousand miles for new shoes to seat to the drums (same circumference/diameter). At this point, they need to be manually adjusted again (even with self adjusters).

NOTE: Self-adjusters will require the releasing of the self-adjusting lever from the adjusting wheel to back off the adjustment (this should be described in a later shop manual). It usually requires inserting a small screw driver into the adjustment slot and pushing the lever away from the star wheel.

This will insure a hard firm pedal.

Seriously consider self-adjusting retrofit kits.

The BIRD front brakes were designed too small for turn radius concerns.

[bcomo]

I'll try the adjustment method with a 1/2 turn wheel spin allowance that you suggested and see how that works. I'll consider the self-adjusters too.

Thanks. I'll do this when the weather warms a little and post a reply.

[JohnG]

Gary, where do you get a retrofit self adjusting kit?? Probably fits all Fords of that vintage...

thanks!
john

[KULTULZ]

BENDIX or WAGNER should still offer the kits. Any large parts jobber will be able to get them.