I have struggled several times with the correct adjustment of the mechanical braking system on my 1931 Chevrolet. The Chevrolet Repair Manual outlines a procedure based on information and tools that many of us do not have at our disposal, that may complicate the procedure as we try to follow it today. Without the knowledge of the "specified" adjustable brake rod lengths and access to a "brake gauge", trial and error has resulted in my following the procedure below ... with less than adequate results. I have recently replaced my brake linings and I am now faced with going through this task once again. Perhaps some input from some of our more experience Chevy mechanics out there on this procedure would help myself and others. Am I missing a step, or doing something wrong here??

Assuming the brakes have been relined with the correct woven material, brake cams and centralize bolts are loose and all movable points are free:

1) Turn out all of the adjustment screws on all 4 wheels.

2) By adjusting the small rod from the brake pedal to the cross shaft, try to obtain the correct offset dimension of the "ears" of the cross shaft ends as noted in the Chevrolet Repair Manual as the cross shaft hangs free. For the 31 the dimension is between 1-1/8" - 1-1/16". (this is where the brake gauge comes in handy)

3) With the correct offset, and the cross shaft hanging free, the 2 non-adjustable rods on the rear are installed. then the rear adjustable rods are connected on the frame pivot end. The rod end at the hub are left unattached at this time.

4) Now without causing any movement in the cross shaft, I would determine the correct adjustment of each rear rod by shortening the rod to a length that the brake adjustment cam is "just about" to move off of the stop post. Once I have gotten to this point, a measurement is taken of each rear adjustable rod (eyelet to eyelet), then a "guess" is made as to the rod length that will be used for both rods equally.

5) This similar procedure is used to remove slack in the rod and cable for the front brakes, with out moving the cross shaft.

6) With all centralizer bolts on each hub being loose, and all the rods connected the brake shoes should be recentralized. Have someone depress the brakes and then tighten the hold down bolts at the hubs as outlined in the Chevrolet Repair Manual.

7) Once this is completed, and all linkages are in place, the brake adjustment screws are used to get a final adjustment.

Realizing the availability of the "brake gauge" my be out of the question now, does anyone have the correct rod lengths they would could share??

From:
I don't want anyone to be afraid of having me follow them on a tour anymore , John Lanning