Brakes

[Mike Sal]

Didn't know if I wanted this in the transmission section or a "brake" section, but figured more guys need brakes than clutches.  Anyway, the original lining was about 1/3 to 1/2 worn on both my automatic clutch and the rear brake, so figured I'd replace the linings.  Below are some photos on how it works (although I'll have to post the finished product tomorrow, as I decided to repaint my mini antique riveter & I used slow drying paint).

The original linings are molded (probably w/ asbestos) & the ones Wayne sells are woven.  The rivets are 9/64 dia. (.140) so use a #27 drill.  What your looking for is to just drill off the upset part of the rivet.  Don't drill on thru the part.  The rivets are brass so it doesn't take much.

After drilling, use a small punch & something hollow (I used a 3/8 hex nut) for an anvil & use a hammer to drive out the rivets.  Clean up the shoes & properly dispose of the old linings.

Dry fit the new linings, starting in the middle & working towards both ends.  If you don't have a rivet setting tool, check around local brake shops, or people with old cars like Model T's....they'll have them & maybe will let you borrow one or will set them for you.  These shoes are so tiny, not all rivet tools will fit.
Mike Sal

[Mike Sal]

Well, I got 1 set of shoes re-lined.....turns out that of the little baggy of rivets that Wayne sent with the new linings about half were too short.  I'll go by the hardware store tomorrow to pick some correct ones up (I didn't discover the error until putting in the last rivet in the first shoe....just couldn't figure out why I couldnt' get the rivet to pass all the way thru the shoe....).  The correct length is .355.....the bad ones are .295....

I found out that even with my tiny rivet tool, I still had to grind some clearance into the punch to clear the rib on the shoe.
Mike Sal

[Mike Sal]

Arghhh.....no one in town has brake lining rivets.....I guess nobody re-lines shoes anymore.....I'll have to wait for Wayne to get back.
Mike Sal

[Mike Sal]

Finally found some rivets....at an oilfield machine shop that still does replacing friction lining on oil field stuff.  A buddy works there, so I got a dozen for free.....cool.

Leaving tomorrow for Ft. Custer, Michigan for a ww2 reenactment, so wont' get any work done this weekend.....
Mike Sal

[bill marcum]

Mike
My Dad was inducted  at Fort Custer into the Army on May 26 , 1943 was there till around July 23 , 1943 Baraks 1004-1631  SWRRC  , 559th Military Police Escort Guard then transfered to Camp McCoy Wisconsin , Then to Camp Livingston, La. that was a P.O.W. Camp. Then to France and Germany. Wish I had time to go , miss my Dad. Have a good time.   Bill marcum

[Mike Sal]

About half of the old ww2 barracks are still there.  I'll see if that address is still there.  I'll stay in the field tomorrow night, but will be in one of the barracks Saturday night.  I hear we have about 150 signed up but we've had over 300 there in the past.

Next month we'll be doing one at Camp Atterbury (south of Indianapolis) & will have tanks, halftracks & all kinds of fun toys.  The first public battle we'll have is just before easter at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.  Then, the first weekend of May will be Lowell Indiana.  Both of these are good for spectators, as lots of armor & vehicles come.

Thanks for sharing about your dad.  My relative that was in the war (dad's first cousin) didn't come home alive from Germany.  He was awarded a Silver Star in exchange for his life when he single handedly took out a machine gun nest that had his company tied down in the Hurtgeon Forest.
Mike Sal

[bill marcum]

Mike
 Hope you had a good time in Michigan at Fort Custer. Did you have time to check if the barracks that my Dad staied in were sill there? Bill Marcum

[Mike Sal]

Bill, we had a blast.  I was a squad leader & my group was assigned to protect a road crossing in the woods & we were pushed on all day, but never gave an inch.  I experienced the thrill of victory & agony of defeat all in about 30 seconds early on.  2 jeeps full of GI's came up the road & we ambushed them.  I was in a flanking position & shot up the first jeep, then stepped forward to catch the 2nd group unaware, but had a mis-feed & they were able to cut me down.....arghhh.

I wasn't able to prove it, but one of the base guys told me your barracks block was replaced by newer buildings some years ago.  There are still a few rows of ww2 barracks still in use.  It's a cool place to play in.  These days they use the base to train national guard troops.
Mike Sal

[trooper82]

Mike, what unit are you with? I'll be at Lowell next month too. I'm with the 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne (the other airborne division).