I'm collecting together all the bits for a juice brake conversion on my Model A which is an interesting exercise in England... Anyway, I picked up a complete set, the fronts are all good (by which I mean I can identify and line up the parts with all the other information on this I have) as are the rear backing plates but the rear hubs/drums are a bit of a mystery. They look like all the Google image searches for early Ford rear hubs but not exactly. They have a flange on the inside that looks like it bolts to the axle housing that I haven't seen before. So what have I got? Can I use them? I have a full machine shop at my disposal so any amount of modification is possible, lucky really cos those drums need turning!
looks like a hub retainer has been fabricated and fitted . Hard to tell from the pics but does the original style rear bearing still fit in the hub ?
Those are safety retainer rings that bolt to the axle housing ends. They keep the hub from falling off when an axle breaks. The (missing) studs in the ring p*** through the backing plates then the housing. All original bearings should fit as intended.
Thanks for the replies, seems quite clear now. I guess the recessed corners in those rings clear the other two backing plate retaining bolts. I presume I could actually get rid of them if I wanted, although your use of the phrase "when an axle breaks" is telling. Won't know about the bearings until I've sussed out how well the rusty hub will clean up.
Install the safety retainer rings , if possible. Just be sure to write a note or put a metal tag that can be seen on the exterior of the brake drum or axle housing letting mechanics know they are installed so that they don't destroy the drum and axle when trying to remove the drum. Such a drum retainer will prevent much damage to your car if an axle fails. Read all the info. about drum/axle retainers here: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search.php?searchid=27284232
Thanks everyone for the help. I have follow up questions. I appear to have 2 p***enger front backing plates. They don't look different (except for the cylinder that's getting replaced of course), are they? What's the best one stop shop for all the replacement bits I need? Since I have to ship it here I'm keen to get everything in one hit to reduce shipping costs
The backing plates are labeled R and L but my last car ran 2 lefts. Shhhh dont tell anyone. I buy my brake stuff from Macs but ive used basically everyone. Its all about the same. At least Macs always seems to have everything in stock
Richard Lacey at Early V-8 garage Sacramento,CA . Everything you need to install hyd. brakes on any early Ford. Put one of his kits in a '37 Sedan everything fits and works right
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