VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Knee Action brake back plate spring

Hi-
I was wondering if any knew were I could get replacement springs for the brake backing plate for my 35 chevy these are the large springs that connect around the brake cable housing then around the upper cup on the front knee action shock. I thought i&i reproductions made them but don't see it in thier new online catalog.

Thanks,
Brent

There never was a spring attached to the shock cup.This sounds like it was added later to cure a problem-such as a return spring to "overcome" a problem with the brakes hanging up-due to rusted cable or???to cure a backing plate rattle due to worn spindle bushings???

Chevgene,

I took a picture of the spring in question on my webshots 35 chevy folder. If you could please take the time and give me some comments. Are these a temp fix? I have tore down all of it and relubed the cables etc. I thought it was for keeping the backing plate in the right place.

Thanks, Brent

After viewing the picture my original thought still stands.They never had anything like this from the factory.The small lower radius rod keeps the backing plate in the correct position.There is a large brass bushing in the center of the backing plate.It allows the plate to rotate on the spindle SLIGHTLY when the suspension moves up and down on bumps etc.If this bushing is worn-and they usually are-the backing plate will fit very loose in the center.When driving over bumps it will rattle.Sounds like a stone in the hub cap.Wii dissappear when brakes are deperssed slightly.My guess is that the spring was installed to keep tension on the backing plate to keep it from rattling.

The window strip.I remember this being on 1935-6 Masters.Was on lower outter window opening.If I remember correctly it lowered with the glass-part of the lower channel.The Fillingstation catalog #70-64, 70-75, or 70-79 may be what your looking for.There is a picture in their catalog for you to compare with your old ones.

yahooo...

Thanks, on both tips. I bet the backing plates do rattle. They are not to terribly loose but the radius rod pivots that hold the backing plate in position are. I can see that spring holding those in one direction or the other to get rid of rattles.

As for the window channel, I have been looking at those in many catalogs, but was unsure. I did not want to buy at 4 bucks a foot and be wrong. What I have left is close to nothing, maybe I might be able to look closer at the back windows when I take them apart. Thanks for pointing out the part numbers.

Thanks, Hey... did I say Thanks? That made my day.

Brent

Brent,
Do replace the loose radius arms.Its a safety issue.I have seen them fall off!!!Then the backing plate rotates with the wheel.

Chevgene

Thanks, I will be carful. I will check them close, from my post it sounds like they needed to be taped back on. They are not that loose but have a little play.I could see that being a real safety issue, possibly injuring yourself and wrecking the car.

Brent

The ends of the radius arms are threaded on.They rotate on the threads.

There are heaps of nos radius rods on eBay and occassionaly the threaded pivot brackets turn up as well
Most are listed 34-38. Down here in Aust. 34 and 35 ran the same brackets and 37-38 ran different ones, the radius rods fit 34 to 38

Some are even offered as kits which include the backing plate large bush. I found that the axle spindle wears as much or more than the bush and new bushes were still sloppy. I had an undersize set turned up to overcome this problem.
Chris

I was fortunate to find replacement radius rods at Hershey many years ago. The parts book identified these as having a spot of green paint which meant the threads were cut .003" undersized, presumably to tighten up the play in the rod. I have also seen used ones on Ebay and elsewhere, usually sold with the knee-action units.