The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Self adjusting brakes

When I was a kid I had several vehicles with self adjusting brakes. Now the brakes on my '59 3100 need adjusting regularly. I was wondering if there was a self adjusting set-up and shoes from another model that would be a direct replacement for the originals. I have never heard of this being done but it would sure be nice not having to worry about adjusting my brakes.
Thanks a lot,
Gene

Gene, many of these parts will fit several years. I'm not sure but not long ago I seem to have had a 59 rear end from a pickup and it had the self adjusters on it. In fact, I think I took them off to later use on my 52panel as I know they will work. I am also fairly sure you can purchase the kit from a local parts house. Homework time!

.....I'm sure someone else will come along and straighten both of us out!!!

self adjusting brakes didn't start until late 60's, doubt you could 'retro-fit' the 59 short of changing the whole rear end

Bill

It's easy- - - -just install the self adjusting shoe expanders and the associated hardware from a later model Bendix brake. Anybody with more than three brain cells to rub together should be able to make it work just by looking at an assembled brake system with the self adjusters and making the older brake look just like the newer one. It would help to have both vehicles jacked up side by side with a drum off of each one.
Jerry

I do know from experience that 67 c10 front brakes with adjusters fit on a 57 1/ 2 ton front axle. There is a good chance the rear may work also. Are the 59 rear brkes 11x2 like a 67 c10?

I will have to check on the size of the brakes. I would probably be happy just to have the adjusters on the front brakes as they need adjusting the most. It sure sounds like this can be done, I just need to figure out what model to rob the hardware from.
Thanks again,
Gene

The pivot point for the self-adjusting actuating arm fits in a hole in the brake shoe. If the early brake shoes (or the reproduction ones) have this hole, it would be very easy to retrofit them.

It would also be easy to drill a hole. I believe the pivot shares a hole with the rear return spring, about 1/3 of the way down the shoe. I'd use the cable-type actuator instead of the one with the round steel arm. It would require installing the cable guide in the proper position on the rear shoe. The tab that moves the adjuster wheel clips into the hole for the bottom spring.
Jerry

I'm updating the brakes on y '47 3100 using '58 backing plates. I bought the shoes, hardware and self-adjusting parts for a '70 1/2 ton and everything fit right in place.

Shopteach, did you replace both the front and back brakes?

Yes I did.