I need help figuring out how to replace the self adjusting brakes on a 1948 Studebaker Commander four door sedan

[Dennis Jones]

Does anyone know the assembly process of installing brakes on a 1948 Studebaker Commander.  I can't figure out how to put the self adjuster hardware back together.  

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[Oldtech]

This might help.  

[m-mman]

Interestingly I just helped a friend with this two weeks ago. ☺️

That self adjuster is strange. Of course non-servo brakes always look weird. There is a button in the middle of one brake shoe. The best picture for this set up is in the parts manual. It shows how the small spring attaches to the V adjuster. 

 

The main theory is that as the button it pressed it releases the lock/serrations. Then as the self adjuster moves, the "V" part is pulled by the spring closer to the "pin" and as it gets further into the narrow part of the V, that is what drives the shoe closer to the drum. 

 

We also had troubles until we made sure that the shoes and the self adjuster, were correctly in contact with the adjusting eccentric. Only then could we lock or free up the brake with 1/4 turn of the adjuster as intended. 

 

I dont have a parts book. But the best pictures of how it is assembled are in there. 

 

FYI - also look at the adjustment of the pedal to the master cylinder. We could not get the pedal more than 1" off the floor until we lengthened the rod. Only then did we have a good high firm pedal. 

[Dennis Jones]

m-mann....Thanks.  I will try again.

[Frank DuVal]

Have you not bought the shop manual and parts books from Studebaker International?

 

https://www.studebaker-intl.com/catalog_pdf/books_brochures_cards_manuals_posters.pdf

 

This car has great literature and parts availability.

[Roofrack]

On 12/31/2020 at 8:03 AM, m-mman said:

Interestingly I just helped a friend with this two weeks ago. ☺️

That self adjuster is strange. Of course non-servo brakes always look weird. There is a button in the middle of one brake shoe. The best picture for this set up is in the parts manual. It shows how the small spring attaches to the V adjuster. 

 

The main theory is that as the button it pressed it releases the lock/serrations. Then as the self adjuster moves, the "V" part is pulled by the spring closer to the "pin" and as it gets further into the narrow part of the V, that is what drives the shoe closer to the drum. 

 

We also had troubles until we made sure that the shoes and the self adjuster, were correctly in contact with the adjusting eccentric. Only then could we lock or free up the brake with 1/4 turn of the adjuster as intended. 

 

I dont have a parts book. But the best pictures of how it is assembled are in there. 

 

FYI - also look at the adjustment of the pedal to the master cylinder. We could not get the pedal more than 1" off the floor until we lengthened the rod. Only then did we have a good high firm pedal. 

....and they now work GREAT!, Thanks M-Man!