Would this work?? self adjusting Shoebox brakes

The brake shoes on the shoebox Fords are the same shoe that is used on most Mustangs etc. Could I use the brake adjuster kit for said Mustang on the Front and Rear brakes on our Shoe??

The adjuster kits (no springs) are 7 bucks per wheel and the hardware kits (springs) are 5 bucks per axle. If it will work 45 bucks gives us self adjusting brakes.

Is it worth the effort?? We don't plan on swtiching to disks so it would nice not having to adjust them.

 

I came to the same realization on my '55 Mercury. In my case, the brake shoes were interchangeable with '70 full sized Fords with manual front/rear drum brakes. I bought all of the parts (the self adjusting pieces) awhile ago, but have yet to actually install them.

I don't drive my car that much, so the brakes really don't need to be readjusted often. It'll be more for "peace of mind".

 

Glad to know I'm not the only one in the boat. We are gonna give it a shot and see what happens!

 

what year mustang???

 

I think I ended up using Ranger rear brake adjusters on all 4 corners. Shouldn't matter what year.

 

keep this thread updated with pictures,subscribed!

 

Here's how with pictures and part numbers:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/self-adjusting-brakes-for-a-54.899224/#post-10196463 scroll up to the top to start.

 

link won't work!

 

I used 69 Torino brake shoes, hardware kits, and self-adjusters on my 50 Ford sedan front and rear. I did this 14 years ago and they work great (over 60k miles). The Torino brakes are same size, width and diameter. If I remember right, the left front adjusting slot does not line up exactly. But that is not a problem. Just get adjustment close before installing the drum and then back up a few times. There might be others (ie. Mustang) that might fit, but I know for sure that the Torino parts are correct.
PM me if you have any questions.

 

The link works fine from a PC,apps maybe not ??

 

we did this on my galaxie,seems to work fine.i think we used torino or ltd springs and adjusters.check part #s they probobly the same.

 

Anybody know if the torino wheel cylinders work on 50 ford sedan too or is it just shoes and hardware?

 

Not directly an answer, but something that I have found many Shoebox people aren't aware of:
Whenever you put in new shoes, this generation of Bendix brakes needs a MAJOR adjustment loosening the upper anchor and centering the shoes before adjusting at the obvious star wheel. After this first adjustment, all future adjustments for wear (by you or your new self-adjusters) can be done via the star wheel until shoes are changed again.

 

I installed 68 torino brakes on my 50 this weekend. i used torino shoes wheel cylinders and hardware. had to cut new adjusting slots on the front and back driver side backing plates. The brake shoes for the back of a 69 torino showed to be too wide to work but the 68 torino was perfect size. Good cheap and easy way to get better brakes.

 

Good info for thought - thanks

 

Your welcome Hope that helps somebody

 

get on www.shoeboxford.com - there are some guys on there hat have done some amazing things with shoeboxs.

 

Bruce good to know.^^^

As for automatic brake adjusters yes it will work we have been doing auto adjusters on just about everything for years. The equipment has no idea how old the car is all they know is that they have a job to do and just do it.

 

Are you guys using '68 Torino front and rear shoes and hardware, or just the Torino front shoes and hardware for both front and rear of the shoebox?...

 

I recall the days where people were taking them off their cars... must have been some scheme portrayed by gas stations of the era.

I nixed the idea on my Ford, since the rears are drum and I probably won't drive it all that much. For a true DD, I would put them on.

 

Shoes should be the same, just add the self adjusters. At least that's what I ended up with.

 

I used front and rear on mine