I have finally started to work on my Pierce model 81. I removed the wheels to get new tubes and a spare tire installed, while that is being done I am going through all lubrication areas. I removed one front wheel to lube the mechanical brake cam and was impressed with the beefy cast aluminum brake shoes and machined bronze cam housing. The previous owner had the brake linings replaced but had left one brake spring unattached and had not adjusted the brakes at all. I adjusted them out for a tiny amount of drag and it made a big difference in the pedal feel and that is just the first wheel! The area where I need some help is where the cam rotating rod enters the backing plate. This was originally covered with a rubber boot, part number 99008 in my PA parts book. The boot is long gone, poorly replaced by what looks like a piece of someone's underwear, see picture. Does anyone know a source for something like this? I tried Steele but no luck. I would be surprised to find an exact replacement available but I assume I could make something else serve if I could find an assortment. Any help would be appreciated.

if you can find them, maybe early VW shifter boots. Appears from the photo about the same size.

Don....My '28 Lincoln had leather boots. Are you sure the original was rubber?

Harry,
Good point. The parts book illustration shows a bellows-shaped boot so I assumed it was rubber since it would be quite difficult to make leather in that configuration. Of course, you know what they say about "Assume". There appears to be some remnants of the boot under the bezel at the backing plate, I'll check it out.

Hey, McKinney, TX !! You should have about 4 or 5 saddle shops nearby that could sew up a set of leather boots in no time, take them some measurements to work from.

A long time ago there was a guy at Hershey every year selling leather boots of various sizes for pre 1920's cars but I don't have his flyer any more. You could browse your collection of old Antique Automobile Bulletin ads from the 1970's. Stude8