I have a 1954 Hornet. The emergency brake holds well on my fairly steep driveway when th car is cold. After a 25 minute drive around town, which includes some steep downhill driving, when I get home, the emergency brake will not hold on the driveway (down is forward). The e-brake does engage, but not enough to hold the car.
After 30 minutes, the emergency brake will hold again.
I suspect the rear brakes are heating up and not engaging fully. It occurs to me that I might be getting all my braking with the “triple safe” rear brakes, and thus overheating them. The brake pedal is pretty firm while I apply the brakes downhill, and I have replaced all the brake cylinders and master cylinder, as well as replacing the flexible lines (2 in front, one in rear). The master cylinder is full, and does not seem to lose fluid.
Is this just an adjustment I need to make on my emergency brake? My son, who is 31, suggests I take my car to a brake shop, but I am not confident that Gen Z and Millennial mechanics will understand how to deal with Hudson Triple-safe brakes, let alone front drum brakes.
I’d appreciate some sage advice.
Thanks.
The service manual has a procedure for adjusting the emergency brake cables. It is quite simple and should solve your issue. Get a printed copy or download one that is available through the hetclub website available to members.
YOU also need to jack up all four wheels and wedge the brake pedal down and check that all four wheels are actuated the same. degree. Also check the shoe adjustments, (star wheel). It also helps if you depress the foot pedal hard when applying the hand brake. If the lever is all the way out then obviously either brake shoes are worn, or the cables need adjusting. Also you need to remember that drum brakes will not act the same as modern discs, and you need to use engine braking more, changing down to descend steep hills, and pump the brakes, do not hold on for long periods..
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