VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 38 Master Brakes in the Rain

I drove my 38 Master for the first time in the rain yesterday. It appears that the front brakes got wet. When I went to use them, it pulled to the left but after using them a bit, they worked normally. With the next application they pulled to the right until they were used a bit. This continued on my way home from a rained out show. I am trying to figure out where the water is getting in. I have tape over the adjustment hole in the drum but there is no gasket between the backing plate and the spindle assembly. I wonder if this is the problem.

Where can't the water get in? It's far from a water tight seal. Driving in the rain will get any brakes wet. Sounds pretty much normal to me. Now that you know how it acts in the wet you'll be expecting it next time. FWIW the computer on my '13 car automatically sets the brakes to a real slight drag to keep them dry when it's raining to prevent pulling and long stop distances. When the sensor sees the rain stop they return to their normal position. Our '38s can't do that unfortunately.

How deep was the water?
There is no gasket behind the drum..

Gene,
there was only light rain. I was thinking that there should be a gasket where the spindle assembly bolts on to the backing plate. I did not install one when I did the kingpins. My 51 GMC 1 Ton brakes are unaffected by rain.

Tiny,
I think disc brakes are pretty well open to the weather.

Old216,

You may consider the fix that Ihave invented for my 41.

a. I took the drums off.

b. I took the windshield wipers off.

c. I bought new windsheild wipers.

d. I installed the new windshield wipers.

e. I cut the old windshield wipers into lengths equal to width of the brake drums.

f. I super glued the windshield wiper lengths to the leading edge of the brake shoes so that there is but one ten thousands of clearance between them and the drums. I cocked the lengths about twenty degrees to the outside in order to help in clearing the water from off the drums. Sort of like a road grader blade.

g. Now when there is any percipitation anywhere from a mist to a downpour I merely touch the brakes now and then and the wiper lengths will wiper the drums thus affording a clean dry surface for the shoes. You can stop almost as fast as you would picking up a hitchhiking blonde in the Mohave Desert.

When raining, I also pull up on the parking brake just enough so that the lengths are constantly but just slightly touching the drums. (Naturally, you can't do this for the front drums.)

The above system works very well unless the water is up above the bottom of the drums. Then there is just too much water. It is too deep, you see.

I plan on appling for a patton for my invention. Soon you all will have to pay me for this here super effective invention. But right now you can do the job for free. You're welcome.

Good luck,

Charlie

BTW: Owing to Canada being the most literate country in the world, I'm surprised you haven't figured out the above solution befor I did. Go figure.

BTW2: I suppose I should point out that I am merely kidding about my invention. You can't assume that those members over in Morganton and Asheville, NC will not understand my post and go right ahead and try this so-called invention.

The rare occasion my '38 is caught in the rain the brakes change due to the wet. On a humid day even, the moisture on the shoes/drums causes pulling until they dry. I live on a gravel road and normally ride the brakes lightly for the 300 feet it takes to get to the highway to dry them off. The first application normally pulls one way or the other.

I agree with the above. I never had a brake problem such as mentioned unless I drove through a flooded area and the brakes got soaked wih water. Then I had no brakes.
I would blame it on the brake firction material getting damp because of water actually gets on the lingings you will have no brakes.

Gene,
thanks, that makes sense. The rain was quite minimal and I was quite surprised.