The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Big Bolt Brakes on a 1.5 or 2 ton Firetruck

I have a 42 1.5 or 2 ton firetruck that I am resto modding for a friend. The issue currently is getting the E-Brakes working, I believe that a piece has broken off or worn off the spreader bar that pushes on the brake shoe. Here is a link to a youtube video I took that shows the issue I am having. Trying to find parts is proving very difficult. Hoping to find the original dimensions of this part. I can then weld it up to the correct length if I can't find a replacement.
CHeck it out, let me know what you think.
Thanks a bunch.
Hoping there is a veteran old time mechanic out there who can give me some guidance.
Youtube video of firetruck e-brakes

John,

Can't say I am an old time truck mechanic, but my 41 has similar brakes. When assembled they had little to no play. Could the problem be a frozen brake cable?

Here is an image of mine after rebuild.

Paul

Looks like the Spreader Bars are in their full retract postition.

That is for the Parking Brake I believe, yes?

So Parking Brake Handle is on the Transmission?

There should be several adjustment and take-up locations then between Lever and Spreader Bar.

I do not think the Spreader Bars are lilely worn short or anything, I suspect this is an adjustment issue of the stuff leading to them.

I would hope that it is just an adjustment problem, but, the length of the bar differs from the 'tight' side to the 'loose' side by about a quarter inch. That should not be,, correct?
Drivers side is 8 1/4 inch,
(the slop was evident in the video, and with the cable completely disconnected it is worse)
Pass side is 8 1/2 inch,
The E-brake "was" bolted to the old transmission, but there is a 700R4 sitting behind a totally reborn inline 292 .030 over. So i have fabricated a mount on the passenger side frame rail. It works well, except for the issues i mentioned.

Here is a link to a video that shows the brake mount and engine/trans, etc

Here are some additional pictures of the fire truck project.

John, take the levers out & soak & free them up. I have that same set up on my truck.

it looks like they are frozen in full retract position.

You should be able to grab the lever from behind the backing plate where the cable attatches, pull the lever in the direction the cable would pull, & the 2 levers should pivot in the opposite direction from each other, and the shoes should move apart.
I can do this with mine.

If they dont move, then they are stuck at the pivot.

It looks like both sides are not working correctly. Make sure they are both free.

Thanks Paul, Thriftmaster and JeffL,,
in the video, both sides were still connected to the brake cable, so there was tension on the lever.
I can move the levers easily when I disconnect the cable.
However the drivers side has the slop but not the passenger.
So I believe it has to do with the difference between the lengths of the two bars,,
I appreciate everyone taking time to comment.

John,

I can't see the two sides being different in length. These pieces are pretty hard steel, and all they do is push - it's not like dynamic wear. I'm wondering if they could be different sizes for different size trucks/wheels, and someone substituted the wrong size?

OK, here's a dumb idea: for each side, there's a "front" and a "rear" bar, connected by the "hinge" lever. As I recall, the bars are each a different length, one being shorter to facilitate removal from their "captured" installation. Are you sure you're measuring the same bar on both sides? Or that one side isn't "flipped" versus the other? I know you're not an idiot, but I thought it might bear mentioning.

The bars definitely need to ride against the shoes in the unapplied position, and ALL the linkage needs to be adjusted to no slack with the lever forward - else you won't get maximum throw/pressure on the shoes when applying.

The geometry ends up being important with manual brakes, which is essentially what the e-brake is. There are individual adjustments on each side to ensure you get proper positioning.

I probably haven't helped at all - you'll figure it out eventually.

-Michael

Hi have not pulled mine apart yet but looking at the video the top of the shoes seem further apart? the wheel cylinder pushrods seem wound out further?? sorry only worked on old holden cars etc as of yet..!

Chevrolet didn't have a 2 ton rated civilian truck until 1946.