I've been installing the emergency brake system and have a question about the pivot mechanism on the behind cab crossmember. The middle component of that mechanism apparently pivots on a shoulder bolt mounted through the front of the crossmember. Is there anything that goes between the middle component (don't know what to call it) and the frame, and what does that mid component do? It doesn't seem to be working smoothly. Also, there doesn't seem to be much forward movement to the arms that the right and left brake cables attach to, maybe 1 or 1.5 inches. I haven't put on the brake cables yet but I'm wondering if that is enough to engage the brakes.

 

The above post isn't accurate in the description of the part in question, so here goes. The piece pivots on a shoulder bolt. It's range of arc is limited by another shoulder bolt going through a radiused slot in the piece and attached to the front of the crossmember. It looks like the piece excessively limits the movement of the arms that the end of the brake cables attach to, and it is dragging on the bottom of the crossmember making a grinding noise.
The shop manual only shows emergency brakes with an equalizer type setup. All four of the 46s I have delt with had this type setup, with a top bracket bolted to the crossmember on the underside, the sandwiched part that is a puzzle, and the bottom three armed swivel that cables from the brake lever, and two rear brakes attach to.

If nobody can explain how this is supposed to work, I may try installing the pivot arms and bracket alone and see how it does. Mike

 

I finished installing everything today, including the slotted pivoting plate, and it is all working fine. Still don't know what that thing does but it doesn't matter. I was pleasantly surprised when the brake cables installed into the Granada brakes. 36 years and no change there.

 

Glad to hear it works for you. I've been trying to remember how the setup on my 48 works, but haven't crawled under it to look. It sounds similar.

Your brake experience was about like mine. I swapped in a '65 9" axle and was surprised to find I could use my backing plates from the 48 along with all the new brake parts including drums. Sure glad Ford kept basic things the same for long periods.

 

MT flat, glad to read that I wasn't talking totally to myself. I am going to make another equally difficult post that maybe you can help on. Mike

 

One more thing on the Emergency brakes. I don't have either of the retainer clips that go over the end of the brake cable housing to hold it in place in the brake backing plate. The clips are like those holding the front flexible brake lines to the frame bracket, only smaller. They were not available anywhere here locally. I had thought that brake shops could supply them, but not. Obsolete Ford Parts doesn't show them. Will order a CW Moss catalogue Monday. Does anyone have a suggestion?
The brakes are functional without the clips, but I would feel better if the clips were in place.

 

Mike:

Is this on an early Ford type rear brakes (Obsolete Ford Parts/CW Moss) or 8" rearend brakes (Granada)?

A pic of the early style rear brakes is here:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...s_46-48car.jpg

and I assume that the clip that you want (probably didn't change much over the years) is the "2113" in the lower right.

Mike

 

Mike, the cables are 46. I actually had two sets alike and installed the best. They go into Granada backing plates. The end of the cable housing is different from the drawing. It shows the cables secured into the backing plate by fingers which collapse upon insertion and expand after insertion. My cable ends are smooth except for two flattened places where the clip goes. Unfortunately the clip in the drawing is for a different location. My clips would be on the end of the housing on the immediate inside of the hole in the backing plate through which the cable assembly is inserted.
Sorry about the long winded description, but don't know how else to explain. I guess there is a possibility that the cable assemblies are 49's. I'll try looking up a drawing for those. Mike

 

Ok, got it.

When I put the nine-inch under my pickup, I used the emergency brake cable and hardware that came with the rear end. After running it through the yoke (2119, upper center of: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...6-48system.jpg - it's a passenger set up in the pic, but the principle parts are the same), I found that it was too long, so I measured the cable (1/8th inch?) went to my local WELL equipped and bought appropriate cable clamps.

Using those clamps to shorten the cable, I have 30,000+ trouble-free miles.

Does the above make sense?

Mike

 

I found that 1939-52 rear cables are the same for pickups. Also found listed on Early Ford V-8 Sales' site, hand brake Uclip retainers. They have a picture and they look like the item. Don't know for sure on the size but they perform the desired purpose at least on a 40's car. Will call the company Monday. They are 50 cents each.
It amazes me how much time a person can tie up looking for tiny obscure items that can't even be explained.
I wish I had saved the 8 inche's cables but we just cut them when pulling the rearend.
Thanks again for the interest and help.
On a different subject, what have you done regarding rear springs? Is it a leaf setup, and if so how many, and have they been dearched, revearsed eyes? I have new leaf springs, 6 or 7 total, including the one full length leaf under the main leaf. The rear is way up there and needs to come down. Also, the rear end is like close to immovable. The pins and bushings have been replaced. Mike