VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Using Brake Adjusting Tool 1929

I just started my brake adjustments using the brake tool from (FS) I have the tool positioned on the two brake cross shafts but is did not line up with the hole. Do I just have to loosen the two arms that are clamped to the cross shaft until the hole lines up. I think that is correct.

Yes.. that's the purpose... when you're done the "leverage" for the shaft will be at a maximum due to the position of the connection plate.

I push down on the brake pedal until the hole and pin align. Then with the pedal down, adjust the linkage until the brakes just begin to engage. When you are done, the brakes will begin engaging when you get the pedal to that same spot.
If I'm doing it wrong, let me know too--won't be the first time.
1929 Brake Tool

I am puzzled at the notion of using the '30-'31 tool on a '29 system? My understanding was that the earlier adjustment tool was an angled odd shaped plate, while the bar type pictured is for later cars.

The 1929 brake adjusting tool is different than the 1930-32 brake adjusting tool.

I have the same issue !! As i am doing the brakes on my 1929

Did Your Tool Come With Instructions, or what instructions are you using ?? I am following the ones rom the 1929 Service News, which are inline with the copy of the ones that I Have feom G&D Issue & a copy of Haynes/ Chilton Guide that I have a copy of.

1929 Cross Shaft & Proportioner

Looking at this picture, I take it you are referring to the two arms taht come off the cross shaft on the Proportioner. They can be loosened, however you can NOT turn them on the cross shafts, They are Keyed. Meaning there is a keyway in the arms (both of them) and in the Cross shafts. only way you could turn them on the corss shafts is to remove the keys...

Also take it you have loosened/ removed the brake linkages on all four corners as well as the brake pedal. My understanding is to make sure the hole in the proportioner (Where the brake pedal linkage connects) is at a 31 degree angle, which is the angle the pin in the brake tool should be at, in conjuction with the front cross shaft.

I know the goal is to set teh cross shafts and linkages at a NEUTRAL POSITION so that when you press the brake pedal, all four brakes are applied with the proper proportion in regards to front to rear.

Will be working on my again tomorrow... Not as easy as it sounds or seems :/

my big question is what is the relation/ position of the ends of the two crosshafts (where the linkages connect) when the proportioner is in the proper NEUTRAL POSTION ?? mainly as a reference to ensure I am on the right track to setting my brakes !!

I know Bill showed a different to in his photo but what he said about the to use the break tool I think would be correct for a 1929. The instruction that came with the tool said to disconnect the brake pedal pull rod and all four brake pull rods. The instructions did not say what to do if the tool does not align with the hole that the brake pedal rod connects to. Maybe the Junkyard Dog will had to this

The tool came with instruction and they are the same instruction that are in the service litters for a 1929. The instruction does not say what to do if the pin on the tool does not align with the hole. I have not tried to loosen the two arms where the brake align tool goes. The photo in your post looks like my cross shaft. I had the clean the area where the tool goes on the shaft so I could slide the tool on.

Two different brake tools were used in 1929...one for the series AB pickup trucks and one for the series AC passenger cars. The tool for the series AB has the pin set at an angle, whereas the tool for the series AC has the straight pin. The two are not interchangeable. If you are using the wrong brake tool (gauge) then the pin will not line up with the hole in the Proportioner.

The tool that the Filling Station sells is advertised for both the car and the truck so the tool that you are using might be for the series AB truck instead.

What is a AB pickup truck?

It was a long day.....and "pickup" was a typo. The above should read instead:

Two different brake tools were used in 1928 and 1929...one for the series AB passenger car and one for the series AC passenger car. The tool for the series AB has the pin set at an angle, whereas the tool for the series AC has the straight pin. The two are not interchangeable. If you are using the wrong brake tool (gauge) then the pin will not line up with the hole in the Proportioner.

The 1929 tool that the Filling Station sells is advertised for both the car and the truck so the tool that you are using might possibly be for the series AB passenger car instead. Just a thought anyway.

well I have teh Filling Station 1929 Brake Tool noted above, and when I put it on the cross shaft If i get teh pin close to the hole, then the shafts are way out of whack, being that the front is turn as far as it can go and the rear is the opposite. And when set in this manner there is NO way to reconnect the front brake rods, as they are not long enough even when fully extended, also there is no more motion left for the front shaft to turn when the pedal is pushed to activate the brakes.

now if I get the Pin and the Proportioner Hole to the same angle it looks correct and I can adjust the rods to be able to connect. I have checked the length of the rods and they are correct.

I will take some pictures today and post them of what i get in each position.

...........and I'm still working on the photos of my chassis for you.

WLB

I just talk to Filling Station about my 1929 brake tool and I have found out the tool I have is for a 1928. The pin size for a 1928 is 1/4 inch and the thickness material the tool is made out is also a 1/4 inch. They said a 1929 tool has a 5/16 pin. They are sending me the correct tool so check your tool.

As indicated above it sounded to me like that Filling Station had sent you the 1928 tool instead of the 1929 tool. Glad that you got the problem resolved and hopefully the correct tool will work for you.

Also Per the Service News, Feb 1929

"On the AB Series Gauge, the pin is set through gauge on an angle and, when set in place, the pin goes clear through the hole in Proportioner."

"On the AC Series Gauge, the pin is set through gauge straight and, when set in place, the tapered end of the pin centers in the hole of Proportioner and does not extend through."

Something to double check on your Brake Tool !! Does one have an angled pin, one a straight ?? and you said different diameter pins as well ??

I will have to look at the Feb 1929 Service New tomorrow