Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[TonyBrooks]

I have a Tornado Typhoon based on E93A parts including the rod & cable brakes. However I have some difficulty in getting decent brakes and an examination of the Compression Tube that I have seems to suggest that therein lies my problem. The only diagrams I can find is this link where it is part no 2569

http://www.smallfordspares.co.uk/plate.phtml?PlateID=5

I have read the description on Page 47 of Stephens - Ford Specials Book which seems to suggest that there should be some movement within this tube to allow the pedal pressure to close the compression tube whereby the spring inside is forced back to eventually apply the rear brakes. Or have I misunderstood it completely?

My tube seems to be completely solid, and I cannot see how you dismantle it to get to the spring inside - the nut on the end just rotates.

Picture of my unit below

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v638/tbbuk/?action=view&current=BrkComp.jpg

Alternatively has anyone got such an item they can let me have/ borrow etc?

Both Small Fords and the FSOC do not list this item within their spares lists.

Thanks

Tony Brooks

[peter scott]

Hi Tony,

When you say you can't get "decent brakes" do you mean that they just don't give enough braking power? I ask because most of the braking effort comes from the front brakes so unless your compression tube is in some way retricting the operation of the fronts then I suspect it may not be the principal problem.

Peter

[TonyBrooks]

Peter

I have a reasonable amount of brake pedal pressure but this 'work' does not seem to represented at the wheels! I have new linings and rebushed several of the linkages so I am just looking at all possibilities. Appreciate that I cannot compare to modern stopping distances but I feel I should be able to lock the wheels.

[peter scott]

Hi Tony,

Have you looked at the front brake linings since you re-newed them?
It would be interesting to know what wear patterns are developing on them.

Are both shoes on each wheel showing similar wear? Is the wear concentrated in one area of each shoe? Does the car pull to one side during braking?

If you can get someone to press hard on the pedal it would be worth checking that the pull rods to the front brakes are adjusted correctly. The important thing to check is that the compensator arms are not over centre when the brakes are pressed. If you look at part 2577 the two levers that pull the rods must not be more than about 5 to 12 and 25 past 6 (when seen from below) if you following my drift. Not 12 o'clock and half 6.

A similar check would be worthwhile on lever 2565. It really should remain fairly vertical when pedal pressure is applied. It shouldn't point forward at the bottom.

Peter