Bushing hand brake cross shaft brackets?

[fordt]

Any way or preferred material to do this? Mine are getting pretty rattly and loose...build up the shaft or bush the bracket and ream?

[Speedsterguy2]

I am not driving with them yet, but I have brazed up several (building up all around the shaft diameter), removed the levers from the end, chucked them up in a lathe and turned the brazing down to match the diameter I need. The brackets can be reamed if you have access to a large reamer of the right size, or you can use a small brake cylinder hone to smooth them up inside and decide just what diameter to turn your brazing work down, to match. Good luck on it. / Tim

[KimDobbins]

Check with Lang's, they probably have NOS brackets.

[fordt]

Wow, can’t imagine chucking this big ol crooked piece of steel in a lathe!

[Original Smith]

I've seen NOS brackets on ebay often. I've not heard of them wearing. Are you aware of the holes in the frame for oiling them? There are two styles. One has round holes, and the other has a square hole, and both have felts inserted into them to keep the dust out. For a couple of years in the early twenties Ford dropped the holes, and soon found out they made a mistake.

[fordt]

I just went out and looked! Had no idea the oil holes were there, I’ll bet that’s one spot that gets overlooked! And I reckon my old roadster’s were based on the wear on my brackets...