Q: How do you check for worn Brake Adjustment Wedge?

Posted by Ken Smith on May 28, 1997 at 13:14:53

I own a 1930 Closed Cab Pickup.
I would like to check to see if the brake adjustment wedge is worn. I am having trouble with my right front brake. The square adjusting end of the wedge is turned all the way to the right and then back to the left 1 click and in the middle of the detent. When my helper pushes on the brake pedal, I can feel a slight pressure on the brake drum when you spin the wheel.
However, I cannot get the brake to adjust any better than that! The right front wheel is spining freely with no drag. Matter of fact, I can't get the shoe to drag anytime period!
The bottom line is that when my helper applys the brake pedal inside the cab, I get a little pressure at the brake shoe but not enough to stop the wheel. This brake situation is causing the pickup lunge to the left when panic braking.
Several Dayton Buckeye Model A Club members suggested the solution was to use so called "pills". You just put them under the front brake operating pins and this allows you to adjust the drag?
I thought I would heed their suggestion. Consequently, I ordered brake adjusting shims from Bratton's but have not as of this date tried to use them. I have not inspected the Front Brake Operating Pin either! How do I do this?
This idea that the culprit could be the brake adjusting wedge occured to me after I had these parts(brake adjusting shims) delivered to my home. Was I on the wrong track with the shims? Could the wedge really be my problem?
This will be my first time working on brakes...so please school me!
The left front wheel seems okay. I can get it to adjust.
At least the brakes that I do have are stopping my "A" but I need to have them perfect for the 1997 MARC Meet in Dayton.
Please write me at ksmith@coax.net and paste your response on this board also? The other guys might benefit from your explanation?

Follow Ups:
Re: Q: How do you check for worn Brake Adjustment Wedge? Dave Rinearson May 29, 1997 at 16:41:54(0)
Re: Q: How do you check for worn Brake Adjustment Wedge? Dave Sturges May 28, 1997 at 16:30:42(0)
Re: Q: How do you check for worn Brake Adjustment Wedge? doug linden May 28, 1997 at 15:35:17(0)

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