Lube the emergency brake shaft

[John Warren]

Robert had a very good photo of the emergency brake shaft lube point. Something that gets ignored. Just thought I would bring it up , after seeing the photo.

[TXGOAT2]

Didn't know about that. Thanks!

[Dan Hatch]

If you have seen an original car, there is a felt wick goes in there.

[Hudson29]

I knew about that little hole at one point but have forgotten it over the years. A reminder is most welcome.

paul

[Rich Eagle]

Thanks for the reminder John. I can't find my photos but here is one Kenny posted showing the square felt hole in some shaft brackets.

I seem to remember some brackets with round holes and some with no hole at all.
Rich

[Angmar]

I do mine 2 times a year with a little heavy oil and I put a light layer of grease on the e brake cam thing more often.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

An excellent tip! A lot of folks don't even know there's a hole there because it's usually filled with dirt. (On my filthy cars anyway... )

[jiminbartow]

When I bought my T and started restoring it in 1970, I did not realize there were even brake shaft lubricating holes there until I cleaned the hard 1/4” build up of grease, oil, dirt and rust that was caked on all surfaces of the entire chassis, totally bridging over the brake shaft holes.

Will a flip up oiler tap into that hole? It can routinely be oiled by removing the floorboards and will be protected from dirt, water and mud flowing into the hole. Jim Patrick

[NU2theT]

Thanks John for posting this thread and picture, several times this year after installing my hogshead I thought "how do I lube the ends of that E-brake shaft"

Just looked between the rails on my Fordor and had to wipe away the years of debris to see the holes. Will be on my memorial day weekend to-do T list.

It's always nice to learn something new about the T, this site is priceless.

[JohnH]

Will a flip up oiler tap into that hole? It can routinely be oiled by removing the floorboards and will be protected from dirt, water and mud flowing into the hole. Jim Patrick

Since I use the handbrake a lot (as the service brake), lubrication at this point got me thinking about flip up oilers. I drilled the holes out to 8mm and the oiler is a perfect fit.

[Allan]

When I remember, I fill the holes with chainbar oil. It clings better.
The earlier shafts had the square holes in the brackets and these were stuffed with felt, presumably to slow the release of lubricant to the shaft. I have never found felt in the later mounts with the smaller round hole.

Allan from down under.

[TWrenn]

Been doin' it for years after hearing the same helpful post on the old forum, luckily when I got my first T.
Looks like a cute girl under that car too!

[Quickm007]

Thank you for the friendly reminder! Really appreciated

[DanTreace]

When I remember, I fill the holes with chainbar oil. It clings better.
The earlier shafts had the square holes in the brackets and these were stuffed with felt, presumably to slow the release of lubricant to the shaft. I have never found felt in the later mounts with the smaller round hole.

Allan from down under.

Must have been an 'export' miss to have no felt in the pivot mount for the cross shaft!

Here is one from a '25, the frame rail has the round hole, the mount has mating hole, but filled with felt to act as a pad to lube the cross shaft.

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Remains of felt, replace with new.jpg (84.89 KiB) Viewed 4423 times

[Original Smith]

There were two years, around 1921 and 1922 where Ford decided to leave out that important part. Note from above photos that some of the brackets have a square hole like pictured above, and some have a round hole. But they all have the felt inside. I always remove the old felt and install a new one.

[JohnH]

I have never found felt in the later mounts with the smaller round hole.

My 26 had the felt but it was in poor condition so removed it. I oil the mounts frequently enough not to bother replacing them.

[Mopar_man]

Wow!! I helped and didn't know it. I'll have to look at the hole. I bet there is no felt in there but I'll make sure I oil it. Yes my daughter gets her looks from her Mom. Not me. Ha!!!

[JohnH]

Here's mine with flip up oilers:

[Mopar_man]

Just oiled it. Thanks for the tip.

[DanTreace]

And...the cross shaft and clevis on the brake rods are noted , as "B" to be oiled, at least on this '26-'27 Grease Chart.