1960 Self Adjusting Drum Brakes

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Snafu1
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Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:01 pm

1960 Self Adjusting Drum Brakes

Post by Snafu1 »

Hello Everyone,
I am new to the forum and I have a question about my 1960 Thunderbird. I have the standard drum brakes and I would like to know if it is possible to convert them to self adjusting brakes?
Any help would be thankful as to what is needed. I already have a new set of drums and shoes for the car, wheel cylinders and master cylinder also.

Thank You!
T-Bird Bob
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:00 pm

Re: 1960 Self Adjusting Drum Brakes

Post by T-Bird Bob »

Yes,
1960 Thunderbird has the same 11-1/32 x 2-1/2 brake drums as all 1960 to 1968 full size Fords.
You should be able use an adjuster kit from a 1966 Galaxie or so.

However, please keep in mind, that on one side the toothed wheel (now the adjusters are side specific) is not reachable through the backing plate slot. So either you also get backing plates from the Galaxie (in wich case I have no Idea if they fit spindle or axle housings). Or just make a new slot on that side to get to the adjuster.

I never did this, because I figured it is easier to adjust the brake once a year for the 1000 mls I make per year. So please check everything out for your self - don't drive around with bad brakes.

Have fun!

Bob
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Alan H. Tast
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Location: Omaha, NE

Re: 1960 Self Adjusting Drum Brakes

Post by Alan H. Tast »

There was a tech article in VTCA's Thunderbird Scoop on how to do this back in the late '80s (one of the first articles I ever edited after taking on the Editor's job in '88). Will need to find the article and particulars about how to do this. It's fairly straight-forward but does involve buying or acquiring the correct hardware for the adjusters, cable, etc.
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
RAVEN
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Re: 1960 Self Adjusting Drum Brakes

Post by RAVEN »

I went looking in my parts info library. I found these numbers which should apply, BUT verify before fully committing.
BRAKE SHOE RETAINING KIT (return springs, hold down springs, hold down pins, e brake springs, and other misc parts. "CARLSON" PART# H7225

BRAKE SHOE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY Complete with star wheel ADJUSTER, ratchet dog, e brake Adjuster cable, and other small misc parts "CARLSON "LEFT" SIDE KIT PART # H2544.

And lastly the "RIGHT" SIDE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY PART# H2545

If these numbers work, great, if not then looking up these KITS will put you in the correct catalogue section, to find the right parts!!!

You will need 4 Kits #H7225, 2 Kits #H2544, and 2 Kits #H2545 to do a full car.

Good luck, hope I helped.
CDN Member since 1975 #2086
Flock: 1964 Landau Original Family Owned
1964 Sr Convertible "RAVEN"
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Alan H. Tast
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Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:52 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: 1960 Self Adjusting Drum Brakes

Post by Alan H. Tast »

FOUND! Original article was printed in VTCA's "Thunderbird Scoop" in August-September 1988:

Vol 20, #4 Aug-Sep 88 “Tech Tip-Self Adjusting Brakes” by Dale Grundhoffer: Adding Self-Adjusting Brakes to Squarebirds (See Also “Additional Comments” Apr-May 89, p.40-1) TT p.33-4 Grundhoffer, Dale
Aug-Sep 88 p 33 Grundhoffer.jpg
Aug-Sep 88 p 33 Grundhoffer.jpg
You'll also want to read a follow-up to the article pointing out some additional items that need to be done:

Vol 21, #2 Apr-May 89 “Squarebird Self-Adjusting Brakes: Additonal Comments” by Alexander Sosiak: Warning to Place Hardware on Secondary Shoe, Use Different Anchor Pin; Star Adjusters have Right and Left Side BB p.40-1 Sosiak, Alexander
Attachments
Apr-May 89 Sosiak Comments.jpg
Aug-Sep 88 p 34 Grundhoffer.jpg
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
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