robsgp : brake questions

brake questions
Post by robsgp on Jul 24, 2006, 8:41pm

I'm in the process of installing the Ford wheel cylinders. I noticed my brake shoes are not the same. On some the friction material goes all the way to the top and on some it stops one rivet hole short. RF both shoes have friction to top. In the picture LF only front shoe fully covered, LR shoes(on floor) both short. Anyone seen anything like this? I'm intending to get them relined and thought the material should go to the top. Should I paint the backing plates while it's apart? Would I need a special or hi-temp paint? I also noticed on both rear wheels the little trapezoid-shaped block above the cylinder that the shoes rest on, the rear surface is flat and the front is curved. The end of the shoe isn't curved though. Strange.
http://usera.imagecave.com/robsgp/m715/lf_brake.jpg

Re: brake questions
Post by kwai on Jul 24, 2006, 9:34pm

Sounds like the brake shoes you have are original equipment.

Check the PS magazine section on steelsoldiers. There is a article on m715 brakes that will answer your questions.

Re: brake questions
Post by warwick on Jul 24, 2006, 10:01pm

both are in the quirks manual

http://www.m715zone.com/vb/pages/man...rksacrobat.pdf

Re: brake questions
Post by barrman on Jul 25, 2006, 7:58am

In other words. Put the one with the shorter lining toward the front.

Re: brake questions
Post by warwick on Jul 25, 2006, 1:36pm

... and the arrow on the anchor block " trapezoid" towards the front...

i painted my backing plates and drums with regular OD krylon paint, can't say how long it will last...

Re: brake questions
Post by barrman on Jul 25, 2006, 2:17pm

I painted mine about 1500 miles ago and the paint is doing great. I also oiled the spots the manual tells you to oil where the shoes and plate touch.

Re: brake questions
Post by wrecker on Jul 25, 2006, 2:51pm

robsgp, while you have them apart, Tim posted a while back about the importance of having them indexed correctly. Not sure if you read that post but it might be of some importance to you at this very moment.

Re: brake questions
Post by joeia on Jul 25, 2006, 7:52pm

I always brush on a little "Anti-Sieze" where the side of the shoes contacts the backing plate. The brakes can really howl if you don't.

Re: brake questions
Post by robsgp on Jul 25, 2006, 8:14pm

A quirks manual? Who would've thought. I assumed it was just me or my truck that was quirky. Especially since no wheel was correct. I had one with 2 short shoes one with 2 long shoes and the other two wheels had the long shoe in front. I didn't see an arrow on the anchor block but I'll look closer now.

I did read Barrman's write up on indexing wheels/hubs/drums a while back. I marked the drum to hub but I don't think I marked wheel to drum. Judging from what I found with the shoes I doubt it was ever paid attention to in the past. I also doubt I'll be able to do quite the thorough job he did.

I thought this was bizarre, turned out to be routine. Thanks for the help.
rob

Re: brake questions
Post by brute4c on Jul 26, 2006, 3:56pm

There will be an arrow on both sides of the anchor block between the top edges of the shoes....whichever side you use, its points front and is right.

Re: brake questions
Post by treepusher on Jul 26, 2006, 10:40pm

Just think 1930's technolegy adapted to 1960's equipment and it will all make sense. Sorta, Kinda , Maybe.