Re: Forward and Reverse Acting Shoes

Posted by Joel Rapose on May 31, 1998 at 20:38:04

In Reply to: Forward and Reverse Acting Shoes
posted by Ken Smith on May 31, 1998 at 14:59:16

: I have installed new Brake shoes on my 1930 Closed Cab. These new shoes came with the pickup so I felt inclined to use them. The instruction brochure illustrates correct positioning of the shoes for both the rear and front. Apparently you can't just mount them an any old way!
: Q-Can anyone explain why there are Forward and Reverse brake shoes?
: The shoes are clearly marked Forward and Reverse. I installed them as recommended on all four wheels. Everything works fine! These shoes are not the soft Scandinavian type containing soft woven fibers, with brass wire interwoven throughout. They have more of a modern lining look. Overall, I am just curious about how brakes work as I am a bit ignorant on the subject! HELP!
KenA Model A does not have self-energising brakes like a modern car (servo acting brakes)but has a fixed anchor at the bottom...so the lining material is not wrapping aroung as the brake is applied...on a modern car the shorter lining goes to the front and is called the primary shoe and it causes the secondary shoe...the rear one to wedge at the top ...or wrap..this really helps energise the braking action...unfortunatly Ford used an anchor at the bottom of each shoe...so both shoes apply with the same force..so anyway...even if it does not help much...mount the shorter shoe to the front...and the longer to the the back

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