Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
Steve Jelf
Posts: 6492
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by Steve Jelf » Sat Jun 15, 2019 12:59 am

The title states the question. I know you have to adjust a few times after installing new linings, but it seems to me that I'm doing it a lot on this one. There is absolutely zero lining fuzz in the oil screen, and turning the drum all the way around I haven't found anything wrong with it. Is there anything I'm unaware of that would require frequent readjustment?
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

JP_noonan
Posts: 94
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:44 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Noonan
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Runabout
Location: Norton,Ma.

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by JP_noonan » Sat Jun 15, 2019 1:07 am

Steve, what band linings are you using this time?
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

User avatar

George_Akin
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:48 pm
First Name: Hobart (George)
Last Name: Akin
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring 1914 pickup 1925 coupe 1923 touring
Location: Louisville Tennessee
MTFCA Number: 20889
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16527

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by George_Akin » Sat Jun 15, 2019 5:41 am

The metal band could be broken.


Herb Iffrig
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:47 am
First Name: Herb
Last Name: Iffrig
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Torpedo, 1918 TT Hucksters
Location: St. Peters, MO

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by Herb Iffrig » Sat Jun 15, 2019 6:34 am

Are they removable ear bands? Perhaps the ear is doing something.

User avatar

Charlie B in N.J.
Posts: 647
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:40 am
First Name: CHARLIE
Last Name: BRANCA
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: "27 Tudor / "23 Touring
Location: Brick N.J.
MTFCA Number: 28967
Board Member Since: 2010

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by Charlie B in N.J. » Sat Jun 15, 2019 6:53 am

What are your driving habits? Low has a clutch like feel to it but you have to tromp on it once you're moving to lock it up. Slippage = wear. Reving to high when starting out in NG too. If, as you say, there's nothing visible perhaps it's how youre starting out.
Forget everything you thought you knew.

User avatar

perry kete
Posts: 1565
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: Seth
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe 1927 Touring
Location: Jefferson Ohio

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by perry kete » Sat Jun 15, 2019 7:18 am

Is the lock nut backing off?
Check to see if the spring is strong enough to hold the nut in place and the tab stays in the locking groove.
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring


tgiro
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:09 am
First Name: Joseph
Last Name: Amara
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
Location: MA

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by tgiro » Sat Jun 15, 2019 7:24 am

Since I removed my original engine (kevlar linings) and installed a starter-equipped engine (cotton linings), I’ve noticed the need for more frequent band adjustments. I’m going to swap the kevlars into the new tranny to see if that solves the issue. I’ll let you know if it works.

User avatar

Jeff Perkins
Posts: 234
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Perkins
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 Runabout 1926 Touring
Location: Lakeland MN
MTFCA Number: 10642
MTFCI Number: 17799
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by Jeff Perkins » Sat Jun 15, 2019 8:01 am

I had a similar problem about 20 years ago on my T......broken band! George possibly has it right.....pull the band and check it.....ugh!
1913 Model T Runabout,
1926 Model T Touring,
1948 Chrysler New Yorker,
1991 Mazda Miata

User avatar

Topic author
Steve Jelf
Posts: 6492
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by Steve Jelf » Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:12 am

The adjusting bolt is not backing out. I tromp down on the pedal as hard as I can without stalling, and the total absence of lining fuzz in the screen indicates no lining wear. I'm afraid George may have nailed it. If the band is being held together by the stretching Kevlar band that would explain the frequent adjustments. :(
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Kuhner
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:12 pm
First Name: Greg
Last Name: Kuhnash
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917, 1921 touring 1927 RPU
Location: Lore City, Ohio
MTFCA Number: 28086
MTFCI Number: 21773
Board Member Since: 2006

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by Kuhner » Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:16 am

When I started using Kevlar bands same thing happened to me. Seems it took forever to find the right adjustment.
I think I was way too paranoid about having them too tight after everything I read about them destroying your drum. I would make small adjustments, to make sure they were not rubbing the drum. Finally after about 8 times I finally found it.
I have rocky mtn brakes so I don’t notice it as much for the brakes and reverse.
“I don’t like nice people. I like tough, honest people”. - Woody Hayes


Norman Kling
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by Norman Kling » Sat Jun 15, 2019 11:17 am

Take a good look at your pedal. As you push down, it should travel to the right to clamp the band. Put the parking brake all the way forward into the high position and then start pushing the pedal down. It will go about an inch without moving to the right, then should start moving toward the right and keep moving as you push the pedal. If you find that the shaft does not move toward the right until it is almost to the floor, or within an inch of the floor, your cam and notch are worn. This is quite common on Model T's. If so you can replace them by removing the hogs head and taking out the pin. Usually a good idea to replace the shaft at the same time.

With the above wear problem, you will find that the band does not get completely tight when the pedal hits the floorboard. So it slips a bit. The only way to get it to hold the drum tight would be to remove the floorboard. Anyway, worth checking.

With normal wear and good operating condition, your pedal should begin to compress the band as soon as you push beyond the neutral position.
Norm


KeithG
Posts: 663
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2019 3:00 pm
First Name: Keith
Last Name: Gumbinger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '14 Touring, '26 RPU, '27 Fordor, '27 Touring
Location: Kenosha, WI
MTFCA Number: 4661
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 6866
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Why am I adjusting my low pedal so much?

Post by KeithG » Sat Jun 15, 2019 12:11 pm

I agree with Norm, it could be worn pedal cam and notch. I had it happen to me once & it kind of sneaks up on you. Everything seems to be ok, but you keep adjusting the band & don't seem to get anywhere. It's a lot of work to change the pedal cam and notch, but that may be it.

Keith
'14 Touring, '26 Roadster Pickup, '27 Fordor, '27 Touring
Motto: It's hard to build a garage that's tooooo big! :D

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic