How to Remove Model A Ford Rear Brake Assemblies

Disconnect the Brake Linkage

1. Disconnect all 4 brake rods and move them out of the way.
2. Remove the bolt from the bottom of the emergency brake lever arm and pry the arm off the end of the toggle lever. After the lever is off, pry the Woodruff key out of the toggle lever to allow the lever to be removed. If there is still a spring on this lever, remove it also.
3. Go back to the hub side and remove the pin that connects the toggle lever to the horseshoe actuating arm, and disconnect those 2 parts.
4. Pull the toggle lever straight out of its mounting hole in the e-brake carrier plate, and lay it aside.
5. Disconnect the 2 small springs that hold the e-brake band to the e-brake carrier plate, then remove the e-brake band.

Remove the Rear Brake Assembly

6. Remove 4 cotter pins and castellated nuts from the bolts that hold the rear backing plate to the axle.
7. You can then pull the e-brake carrier plate (with all the holes) off the assembly and lay it aside.
8. Roll the service brake arm all the way forward (over center) to facilitate removal of the rear plate from the axle. You will probably need to punch out the axle-to-backing-plate bolts, but you do not have to remove the shoes at this point.
9. The reason you roll the brake arm all the way forward is to allow you to thread the arm through the radius rod where it attaches to the 2 front bolts on the axle housing.

Handling the Removed Parts

Every component will be dismantled and inspected for serviceability, so there is no need to try to keep everything separate or labeled. Just put all parts removed together in a box.