Brake Rods

[SurveyKing]

I am in the process of hooking up and adjusting the emergency or parking brakes and realized I have differences in the ends of the rods where they attach to the brake cam lever. I am attaching a photo showing the differences. My car is a 1924 Touring and the rods that were on the car are the two on the right. McCalley and the judging guidelines indicate the forged ends were replaced by the split end around 1920. I am uncertain as to how to determine if the ends are forged or not. Can someone let me know? The photo shows three rods, the one on the left is a spare I had laying around, again the two on the right are the ones that were on the car. Thanks

[DanTreace]

The rod on the right looks factory.

[George House]

Yep. I agree

[SurveyKing]

So the two on the left are the earlier type, Forged?

[Allan]

The two on the left are likely home made/aftermarket replacements. That U shape is likely welded to the rod, not an ideal way to make a brake rod.
The original forged end rods, being made in one piece, are far superior.

Allan from down under.

[TWrenn]

None of them look correct to me. As I recall, they all ( 3 different changes) were rounded on the ends...all of yours look to be "straight" but the pics aren't of the best angle. Maybe another picture from the side of them would be better.

[SurveyKing]

Here are two additional photos. Thanks guys.

[John kuehn]

The one on the right looks close to factory but not sure. The other two have the ends welded on. I’m not sure if Ford made those.

[RajoRacer]

Right rod is original - other 2 are repro. Cast end rods are quite distinguishable - I'll see if I can find a photo.

[DanTreace]

Here are two examples of the types.

Above is the stamped 'split' late type end, made from one piece of rod. Made beginning about 1919 used to 1925, these rods have upturned section to go over the radius rod, then similar used in 1926-27, but rods are straight ended and shorter.

Below is the 'forged' type end. Used 1909 (with small differences) -to 1919

487660.jpg (92.31 KiB) Viewed 2132 times

[TWrenn]

Here are two examples of the types.

Above is the stamped 'split' late type end, made from one piece of rod. Made beginning about 1919 used to 1925, these rods have upturned section to go over the radius rod, then similar used in 1926-27, but rods are straight ended and shorter.

Below is the 'forged' type end. Used 1909 (with small differences) -to 1919



487660.jpg

Yep after seeing Dan's example and looking in the judging book, the author's rod on the right even looks repro to me, sorry to say. Earlier as I said they all just didn't "look right", sad to say for his part. But it is what it is. For the most part the one on the right "would fly" given the almost difficult location on the car to see in all actuality. Let's not beat this horse to dust.

[SurveyKing]

Thanks guys for all the helpful input. I guess I'll be looking for a good usable pair of original rods 1920 to 1925.

[TWrenn]

Yep, they're out there Dan. Hit the classifieds!

[John kuehn]

Two of the brake rods shown look to have welded yoke ends on them. I don’t think Ford ever welded the ends on original brake rods. They had forged ends on them.
Looks like the repos were welded with mig welding.(wire feed). Maybe others might know for sure but those welded on ends are a dead giveaway they aren’t original.