Self Adjusting Brakes


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By parklane - 11 Years Ago
Just bought a 61 Ford Galaxie, and as most of us older guys know, these cars didn't come with self adjusting brakes. Years ago I knew what parts were needed to change over to self adjusting, but the info has leaked out of my brain. Can anyone help out an old Fart??
By lyonroad - 11 Years Ago

Parklane, I am interested in this too. A few years ago I converted the brakes on my1956 pickup. I went to a wrecking yard and scavenged the parts. What you need is the adjustor lever, the spring that connects the adjustor lever to one of the shoes, the cable, cable guide and if you can get it, the anchor pin that attaches to the top of the backing plate. The pin on the self adjusting brakes has a slightly longer nub where the springs and cable attach. I didn't get that part and had to do some creative assembly to get the springs and the cable attached. In my case my brake shoes already had the holes for mounting the cable guide, adjustor lever and spring. They have been working well for several years now. I imagine you need to select a donor set that is the same dimension as your car. If you come across a supplier for new parts let us know. Good luck


Just out of curiosity when where self adjusting brake introduced on Fords?


By PWH42 - 11 Years Ago
Self adjusters were introduced in 63.

A couple of years ago,after discussion on here about this,someone posted all the part numbers,available new in a kit from NAPA required to make this upgrade.I think it was oldcarmark that posted this information.You might try searching on this forum and find his post.
By lyonroad - 11 Years Ago
PWH42 (1/31/2014)
Self adjusters were introduced in 63.

A couple of years ago,after discussion on here about this,someone posted all the part numbers,available new in a kit from NAPA required to make this upgrade.I think it was oldcarmark that posted this information.You might try searching on this forum and find his post.


Found it. Thanks Paul and oldcarmark.

                                                                           
                              oldcarmark                                        
            
                                                                             Posted Friday, July 23, 2010 11:27 AM                                     
            
   
                         
                        
               
   
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          I installed self-adjusting brakes on the rear of mine(I have disc on the front).I purchased the following parts from Napa.UP 80691,Up 80692, and Up 80509.The first 2 are the self-adjuster kits which gives cable,guide,lever and a new star wheel adjuster.The 80509 is a 2 pack of return springs for the lever.Remove the existing lower spring and adjuster.At the top remove the "diamond" shape piece that sits behind the return springs.The ëye"on the end of the cable will replace that piece.Install the cable eye and face the cable towards the rear shoe.Install the guide in the same hole the return spring hooks into on the shoe.The lever goes in the round opening on the rear shoe at the bottom and the spring hooks into the front shoe and then hooks onto the lever.The cable goes arond the guide and hooks into the lever when you tip it up with a screw driver against spring tension.The star wheel sits in front of the original opening in the backing plate on the right side and on the left I created a new opening with a drill and flat file.The adjuster kits include new rubber plugs.The brakes adjust when the car is reversed only.Works great.No more manual adjusting.If you want to do the fronts you will need these 2 kits plus another 2 pack of springs(Up80509).Adjuster kits are Up80695 and Up80696.I dont know what is different about the front and rear kits but the fronts are brake shoe #263 which are used on the rear of a 1970 Ford Custom 500 and the rear shoes on 55-56 Ford are #55 which are used on the front of a 64 F100.As with the rear kits the cables loop around the rear facing shoe and will adjust when the vehicle is reversed and the shoes wear to the point that the cable is pulled by the shoes and raises the lever to turn the star wheel adjuster.You will likely have to create a new opening on the left front backing plate to be able to manually turn the adjuster in and make the shoe size smaller if you were unable to get the drum off later.Simply locate where the "star" lines up with on the backing plate and drill 3 holes close together and the open them up to create one opening.Use a file to shape and install a new rubber plug from the kit.

Just a note-55-56 Ford car(not wagon or S/D) and 55-57 T-Bird use the same shoes .These adjuster kits can also be used on the 55-57 Birds.                           

By parklane - 11 Years Ago
Thanks guys. I really appreciate this.
By 314 - 11 Years Ago
they were an option on the 58 merc so they were around for awile. 58 merc could also be ordered with full air suspension.
By kansas - 11 Years Ago
MAC'S has a kit that sells for $12.75 you will need 4 kits if your doing both front and rears brakes
By oldcarmark - 11 Years Ago
Ask them where they are made?