I've been rebuilding the front brakes for my track T, and while I was putting the brakes back together I noticed that the backing plates are marked "LF" and "RF". Naturally, I noticed this right after I put the "RF" backing plate on the left spindle! I know there is a difference between wheel cylinders for left and right, but the backing plates look identical. Does anybody know why there is a left and a right?
Well shit! Now I'm really in trouble. All 4 shoes also look exactly identical to me. Can you amplify just a little on the differences? Will I be totally screwed if I put left on right, etc?
The plates reached the assembly line fully assembled with shoes and all, so at that point they had an orientation and the mark allowed installation without need for knowledgable scrutiny.
Jon...originally there was a short shoe (rear) and a long one on each plate. Now most modern sets come all the same. Cylinders go with bigger piston forward. Plates have holes to assemble then either way...4 holes for 3 screws.
Bruce, Thanks a bunch for the explanation. I will leave the "RF" on the left spindle and proceed to the other side. I know I'll lose points at the next coucours de elegance at Pebble Beach, but so what.
Well maybe I am lesdixic. On another note, the backing plates had an extra squarish piece held on with the same spindle bolts. It looks to be something to catch all the grease that runs out of the inner bearing, and both of them had huge globs of very dried up grease. Was this because of the original Ford seal technology? Now the seals have a rubber lip, so I left the pieces off. Was that a no no?
Yepr that's really all those things were for. The old felt seals would let a bit of grease by and that would end up on the brake shoes leading to graby brakes. I still use them if I have a good set.
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