How to adjust Ford Model A mechanical brakes.

How to adjust the Ford Model A mechanical brakes properly.

Ever hear someone say that mechanical brakes don't work well? What they are really saying is they have no idea how to adjust mechanical brakes properly. Today, I'm going to show you the proper way to adjust a mechanical braking system on a Model A Ford automobile.

This is my friend's 1930 Model A Fordor sedan. I have previously worked on this car's brakes and know them to be in fairly good shape. That is important before attempting to adjust them.

Step 1: Put the Model A on jack stands so that all 4 wheels are off the ground by an inch or two. Remove the cotter pins from the brake clevis pins on the front ends of the front brake rods and the front of the rear brake rods (located near the middle of the Model A). Make sure the brake rods are free. Use a 1/2" wrench to back of the jam nuts on the brake rod clevises.

Step 2: Use the brake adjustment tool to back off the brake shoe adjusters on the backing plates. Make sure the rear wheels do not have the emergency brakes dragging. Starting with one of the front wheels, spin the wheel. With the wheel spinning freely, rotate the brake shoe adjuster 1 click clockwise then spin again. Continue doing this until you hear or feel the brake shoes just beginning to run on the drum. When the brake shoes just barely start to touch the drum, back the adjuster off 3 clicks. Move to the next wheel. Do all 4 wheels.

Step 3: With all 4 wheels adjusted, re-attach the brake rods and insert the brake rod clevis pins. Do not insert the cotter pins yet! You man have to pull on the rear brake rods to get the clevis pins in. Have your helper remove the brake adjuster gauge so that the brake pedal goes down about 2 inches. Calibrate the gauge so that this is position or notch #1. Rotate each wheel and fell for just a little drag. Make a mental note of which wheels are tight and which are loose. Have your helper remove the brake adjuster gauge. Tighten brake rod clevises on wheels that are too loose and loosen clevises on the brakes that are too tight. Repeat step 3 until the slight drag on all 4 wheels feel the same.

Step 4: Move the brake adjuster gauge to the 2nd position (notch #2). Do as you did in step 3, except you are now feeling for fairly tight brakes. The wheels should rotate but with more drag. Wheels that feel about right should be left alone. Only adjust the wheels that need to be tightened or loosened. When finished with this step, the wheels should not be easy to get started rotating and should stop on their own very quickly.

Step 5: Move the brake adjuster gauge to the 3rd position. Wheels should be very difficult to turn. Adjust so they all have the same amount of drag.

Step 6: Almost done! Have your helper stomp on the brake pedal like they mean business. Make sure all 4 wheels are locked solid. If not, go back to step 4 and adjust for more drag. Unless you are the Hulk, you should not be able to turn the wheels with the brake pedal smashed down hard.

Step 7: Now is where you can go ahead and insert new cotter pins in the brake clevis pins. Don't install the front ones fully yet, just enough to stay in place for a test drive.

Step 8: Lower the Model A back to the ground and go for a ride. Where it is safe to do so, take your hands off the steering wheel with the Model A moving about 10 miles per hour (keep the hands ready to grab it again!) and stomp on the brakes. If the Model A pulls to one side or the other, adjust the opposite side brake clevis rod 1/2 turn tighter (clockwise). For clarification, if the Model A pulls to the driver side then tighten the passenger side brake rod clevis, and vise-versa. Repeat as needed until the Model A stops in a straight line.

Step 9: Return to the shop, or a parking lot. Install all the cotter pins in the brake clevis pins in a permanent fashion. Re-tighten the brake road jam nuts against the brake rod clevises. Pour yourself a glass of ice cold lemonade and celebrate a job well done!

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