Brakes: The intricacies of brake adjustment

[Ron Dame]

A twofer learning experience: Adjusting rear brakes with Twin Trac and eccentric adjusters. I just can't get the feel of which shoe is adjusted right and which one isn't. And the drag from the other side because of TT makes it harder. I'll get there!

[TWChamp]

I turn the eccentric until the tire locks, then back off a hair.

[Ron Dame]

Only three eccentrics to go!

[bezhawk]

They are a PITA.

[studegary]

They are a PITA.

I agree with that. I remember a 1964 "restored" Avanti where the rear brakes weren't doing anything. I spent some time properly adjusting them and then they worked fine.

[63 R2 Hawk]

I did mine about 5 years ago, now your post is tempting me to do it again even though they work fine, good pedal and all wheels brake evenly. Darn, I don't need another project.....

[oilnsteel]

Would the early self adjusting brakes (1947- 1953) interchange with these?

[studegary]

Would the early self adjusting brakes (1947- 1953) interchange with these?

It is the lack of self-energizing that is needed, whether they are self-adjusting or not doesn't enter into it.

[oilnsteel]

Agreed, Gary. What I was attempting to do was get around having to adjust them.

JT

[6hk71400]

As I remember, Herb Shriner, the comedian, was adjusting brakes on his Avanti and later that day was involved in a fatal car crash with the car. So very important to do it right.

My new Lark the front brakes are locked; would not move off the car carrier or tow truck flatbed. I know I have to adjust but when I asked the question about up or down way to go my answer was yes. The person I asked said they couldn't remember. Any help? Pedal is firm, 1 inch movement.

Right now not getting fuel to the carb. I am going electric but first make sure gas is flowing from the tank before I go inline on the frame with a pump.


Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

[TWChamp]

Older Motor's Manuals have good pictures with arrows showing which way to turn the adjusters.
I'll take a look at mine, but unfortunately my scanner doesn't work.

[christophe]

My new Lark the front brakes are locked; would not move off the car carrier or tow truck flatbed. I know I have to adjust but when I asked the question about up or down way to go my answer was yes. The person I asked said they couldn't remember. Any help? Pedal is firm, 1 inch movement.

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

Assuming the star wheels haven't been mixed up, you have to turn them downwards to release the brakes.
Nice evening to all.

[Ron Dame]

Older Motor's Manuals have good pictures with arrows showing which way to turn the adjusters.
I'll take a look at mine, but unfortunately my scanner doesn't work.

Thanks, my Motors is in poor shape, but I will carefully find the page. My biggest frustration is getting them all loose, then going one at a time with the drag increasing with each one, and being certain none are too tight.

[Ron Dame]

Assuming the star wheels haven't been mixed up, you have to turn them downwards to release the brakes.
Nice evening to all.

That's a heck of an assumption after all of these years. After 10 clicks or so, you'll know if you are going the right way or not.

[christophe]

That's a heck of an assumption after all of these years. After 10 clicks or so, you'll know if you are going the right way or not.

The right side should be right hand threaded and conversely for the left side, if it might help.