Brakes
When Were 9” Bendix Brakes Used?
Crosley Sales Letter S-8 – 09/25/50
June 1950
Convert to Bendix 9"
VC-20654
CD-204209
They used the 9" brakes to the end of production in 1952. From mid 1949 till the conversion, four wheel disc brakes were used. 6" mechanical brakes were used before that.
VC Rear Flex Brake Lines
G2 – Fall 2010
Having a problem with rear brake hoses on my 51SS. The line from the backing plate rubs against the coil spring where it makes the turn to go to the frame. Do I have the wrong hose or is there a fitting to change the angle of the hose to a 45 degree instead of the straight?
PeterB – Fall 2010
You will likely need to pre load the hose so it wants to stay away from close parts. Before you bleed the system and feel everything is in place try to move the suspension to it's extremes, or visualize where things are going to play under road conditions. I tighten the end that butts into the wheel cylinders, whatever end can't be rotated in it's final position. Then curl or twist the hose to a suitable position and lock it down. I can't remember how my SS had it's hose routing, but it has to be taken into consideration all the movement the axle will travel. Even more important on the front end where every thing articulates. You should never have hoses with any scuffing when it's done right.
JR – Fall 2010
My 52 SS has banjo fittings at the wheel cylinders so the line goes in at a right angle making the route between the shock and coil spring easy.
Bendix wheel cylinders bores
bltlar 1/9/01
HELP! 50 HS Rear wheel cylinders are 7/8" bore. Fronts
are 1" bore. Is this correct? Thought both had to be the same.
Maybe some of you good wrench benders can tell a old man what is
correct. Thanks! Larry
chuckhk1941 1/9/01
Front cyl's are always LARGER than the rear-this gives
more braking power to the front & stops the rear wheels from
locking .
Jim_Bollman 1/9/01
1 inch cylinders on the front and 7/8 inch rear is
correct for the Bendix brakes.
Brake Shoes
cosmicray48236 3/17/01
I am replacing brake shoes on a CC. The existing shoes
are all installed differently. The shoes have a chamfer like angle
on what I believe is referred to as the heel. I think that the
angle should face the angled face of the adjusting bolt that runs
through the backing plate. True or false? There are two springs of
different size on each brake assembly. Does the large spring go on
the "heel" end or the "cam" end? Any suggestions will be
appreciated.
speedoo51 3/17/01
The heavier spring hooks inward at the cam end of the
shoes and the lighter spring hooks outward at the other end of
shoes [this is direct copy from manual]; I can only assume
that the brakes that had the adjuster as part of the cam [adj
nut in center of lever, later version of mech brakes?] used
the same springs attached in same manner.
Drum Puller
vc30323 10/18/00
Anybody have a slick tip on pulling the rear brake drums,
or will I have to go buy, rent, borrow, or steal a wheel-puller?
Jim_Bollman 6/02/26
I use to use the cheap knock off type drum puller till I was warned about cracking the drum and the 9" standard drum is getting hard to find and the FOR drum is impossible to fine. I switched to a 4 arm puller that attaches too the lug holes in the drum. Some auto parts shops have them to loan. Service Motors now stocks them.
Cracked Brake Drum Keyway
Papajaks - 3/04/06
Both rear drums are cracked at the keyway. The local parts
store ordered National Red-Sleeves # 99149. [even comes
with installation press cups]. Left the drums outside
overnite to shrink, dropped the sleeves into hot water to
expand and with the help of a small hammer to coax
them on, they're phixed. Downside: the sleeves
are expensive.
Chuckhk - 3/05/06
Did you V grove and weld the drum before installing the sleeve
Adjusting Mechanical Brakes
flinttim – Aug 20, 2005
I feel the brakes need "Tightened" up. How do you adjust the brakes? Probably a long answer and I apologize up front but appreciate any help.
backap1 – Aug 20, 2005
For mechanical brakes, locate the cross shaft which has all 4 wheel cables attached to it, make wooden spacers to center up the cross shaft in it's mounting "bearings". I realize these "bearings" are 2 flat pieces of fiber material. Once the cross shaft is centered on both sides adjust each wheel cable until there is a slight drag. Remove the centering spacers and you now should be able to slide all 4 wheels. This procedure is illustrated in the service manual available from Service Motors. (Don't try to improve on the cross shaft bearings, that is what equalizes the brakes as they wear – JB)
Note: Service Motors usually have metal wedge sets forsale for doing the adjusting if you don't want to make your own. JB
Stretched Brake Cables
dcCrosley – Spring 2008
The use of common cable adjusters will get your mechanical brakes working again. They are available at any good hardware store. I've also seen them at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts and places like that.
Note: Not as easy to find as they once were but Amazon has them and I have picked up a few in flea markets I haven't tried auto supply stores for awhile.
