Brake Adjustment 1949 WINDSOR

[Guest Fosbreed1]

How do you posistion the arrows on the brake shoe retaining bolts on the front brakes after installing new brake shoes? Thanks for looking! ED

[Rusty_OToole]

You need to do a "major adjustment" to align the shoes properly to the drums after a replacement. After that periodic "minor adjustments" to take up wear.

If you do not know how to do these adjustments suggest you get a manual. It is a little too complicated to explain here.

[Guest cookie72-79]

This should be of a little more help.

Major Brake Shoe Adjustment

Most modern brakes systems have either automatic adjusters or one manual adjuster to compensate for normal wear. However, the Lockheed designed brakes used on the P15 and D24 require additional adjustments to insure adequate brake pedal height after a brake job. Two adjustments are made, a "minor" adjustment which compensates for normal wear, and a "major" adjustment which must be done after installing new brake shoes. While the factory service manual provides considerable detail regarding the major adjustment, you must have a Brake Gauge Tool MT-19H tool. Unfortunately, these tools are impossible to find, and no one currently manufactures a replacement. So what can you do ?

First, The Plymouth Bulletin #229 (March-April 1998) has an article on how to build a low cost replacement MT-19H. You can order reprints from the Plymouth Owners Club store, and by the way, if you aren’t a member, it is a good time to download a membership form and sign up.

Another option is to use the following adjustment procedure found in an old Clymer service manual. Before beginning any major brake adjustment you need check the following items. Be sure the anchor bolts, which hold the shoes to the backing plate, turn easily. They have a locking nut on the back of the backing plate. The anchor bolt is actually a small cam, which moves the position of the "heel" of the brake shoe. Anchors have round lubrication wicks inside the washer spacer. The wicks have probably dried out over time and need to be re-lubricated. The anchor bolt head has a stamped arrow pointing to the high side of the cam. To adjust the anchor bolt you must be able turn it from the back of the brake backing plate. Remember, the brake drum will be installed, blocking access to the front side. Some anchor bolts have provisions for turning them from the back. If not, grind off two flats with a file for a wrench or cut a screwdriver slot in the treaded end of the anchor bolt. (I have had better luck using the wrench flats). Also put an identifying mark indicating the cam high point. Loosen the anchor nut and verify you can turn the anchor bolt. It is very important your brake drums be in good condition. When you spin the drum does a shoe drag in one location ? If yes, the drum is out of round and needs to be turned on a brake drum lathe. Most shops charge less than $10.00 per drum for this service and usually takes only a couple hours. It is next to impossible to correctly adjust the brakes with an out of round drum. Drums in good shape ? Then your ready to start.

1. Turn the cam nut (minor adjuster) so shoe is fully retracted inward.

2. Turn anchor bolts so both arrows are facing each other. With 2 wheel cylinders, the arrow faces the corresponding wheel cylinder.

3. Install the brake drum and tighten retaining nut.

4. Identify the wheel cylinder/shoe configuration. Note adjustment direction for the cam nut and anchor as mentioned in the service manual. Or check the P15-D24 Brake Helper. Remember the direction to decrease clearance between the shoe and drum.

5. Turn anchor until shoe "heel" drags on drum.

6. Next turn the cam nut (minor adjuster) to bring shoe "toe" into drum contact. This will cause shoe "heel" to lose contact. You need a light touch for this step. It is easy to go too far with the cam nut and overshoot, locking the drum with the minor adjuster.

7. Turn anchor again direction of arrow until shoe "heel" drags on drum again.

8. Repeat step #6.

9. Repeat step #5 and #6 until cam nut adjustment no longer frees the shoe "heel". Tighten anchor bolt nut and reinsert a cotter pin, if used. My experience with new brake shoes is it only takes 2-3 passes and the shoe is adjusted.

10. Repeat procedure for all shoes

[ply33]

This should be of a little more help.

Major Brake Shoe Adjustment

Most modern brakes ...

Interesting that a Google search turns up at least three other places that quote is used. And only one of them gives credit to the original which is located at From: P15-D24 Technical Tips I bet GTK would appreciate the link backs to his original work.

You can also get my take on the procedure at Brake Adjustment

I heartily agree with Rusty_OToole that the original poster should get a copy of the service manual...

Edited May 25, 2012 by ply33 (see edit history)

[Guest cookie72-79]

This was the question

How do you posistion the arrows on the brake shoe retaining bolts on the front brakes after installing new brake shoes? Thanks for looking! ED

Not, should I buy a manual.

I was trying to help, and telling this guy "buy a book" who came here looking for help from forum members, is probably not what he had in mind.

By the way, there is a link to the forum you speak of at line #4

Edited May 25, 2012 by cookie72-79 (see edit history)

[c49er]

Another good idea would be to have each pair of shoes "Arched" properly to the diameter of each drum. Makes adjustments and wear in very fast and proper. Hard pedal imediately! Usually you can leave the anchors at stock position and only have to do the minor cam adjustments. Quick and easy just like a real brake shop would do it!