VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1928 brake band

Hi all, Any ideas why my brake band is cutting into the timber spokes on my passenger side rear wheel. the hubs and axles are not worn. I suspect it's either a leverage problem or may be the surface that the brake lining is applied to is not square to the face of the drum causing it to run off . Any other ideas.
Thank you regards peter.
Ps aussie RH drive.

Does the anchor peg for the band have the adjusting screw,lock plate & spring between the anchor peg & the band face?If the adjusting screw is missing,the band will move around and possibly
cause your problem.
Check how close the inner edge of the brake drum is to the anchor bracket on the backing plate.If the drum edge is rubbing or close to rubbing,either the axle taper or hub bore is slightly worn allowing the hub(and therefore the wheel)to move inwards,causing the same problem.
There is a way to fix it,just send me a PM with your ph. number,and I'll give you the details.

I'll bet that CJP'S 29 will give better advice, but here are two quick pieces of information. Your problem is from normal wear and tear. So one solution is to remove the wheel and hub. Cut a sheet of brass and make an icecream cone. Put this on the axle as a shim and then the hub. Assemble and check for progress. Now remove the hub again and grind the edge of the brake drum. Take about an eighth all around the drum. Assemble and check for progress. Now wait for CJP'S 29 input.

Thanks for the replies CPJs'29 and antique mechanic , I think you have pointed me in the right direction, I had a closer look at the service brake anchor and the brake band saddle, I think thr wear between to two parts will allow the band to rotate excessively .
I don't have brake band guide pin lock plate but a bolt and spring arrangement which is tied off with wire. I will post a couple of photos tomorrow when the young fellow is around to help post them. Regards peter.

following are photos of my brake band saddle and brake anchor . i think the wear on the saddle and post allow the brake band to rotate under braking allowing the lower portion of the band to cut into the timber spokes. I think if I shim or weld the saddle and post the band will remain more vertical. I'm pretty certain its not the hub and axles as both are new. anyone else had the same problem with the bands cutting into the spokes.
regards peter

From the photos, I would partially agree with your diagnosis. Looks like the bands do not have an even gap with the drum. It could be a warped band that also could dig into the spokes.

I have the same problem on my -28. This is how I do it.

Chipper and Bluezone, Chipper I will adjust brakes and if necessary pinch Bluezones method . Thanks for the input. Regards peter

You'd probably be better off building up the anchor peg and dressing it down until the brake band sits nice and square around the drum,making sure you have a bit of clearance inside the anchor peg bracket on the band,so the band can move back & forth against the tension spring.

Thanks CJP'29 I will do that and post photos when it's done. Whilst on the brakes subject are the 29 brakes the same as the 28 apart from the rear setup.

Yes they are very similar. Most of the parts are the same.

Hi All, just an update re the brake band cutting into the back of the wooden spokes. The main problem was the service brake adjusting screw SUPPORT was weakened and not sitting square to the adjusting screw. The bracket had less than half it original thickness due to the drum cutting into the bracket long before I owned the car and replaced the hubs and axels. The weakened bracket was bending under force. I had the bracket welded and also a narrow reinforcing web welded on ( you need to make sure there is clearance for the brake rod/clevis to move freely). The other thing I did was temporarily shim the saddle to remove play around the service brake anchor, when time permits I will weld and dress it down as CPJ recommended. thanks for all the help cheers peterhttps://vccachat.org/images/icons/default/Clapping.gif