1923 Touring:
How do I determine what rear brakes I have? The drums are a little rusty and all of the guts (springs, shoes retainers, etc.)are missing. Can the drums be refurbished (polished) if the rust is not to bad?
Thank you
Paul in Tacoma

23 would have the small drums.
https://www.modeltford.com/item/2818.aspx

The rear drums are your hand brake only. They can be cleaned up and used. If they were rusted pitted and ugly you could get some nice used ones ( from Dave Huson perhaps) or buy new ones.

Those small drums are easy to find if yours are too rusty. The other parts are easy to find also. I prefer the accessory LINED shoes, but that's up to the owner.

And with lined shoes you'll want neoprene seals inside of the outer bearings to make sure the new lined brake shoes won't be ruined by oil mixed grease

Always good to check out the bearings too - well the whole rear axle should be taken apart to check so it doesn't have babbitt thrust washers that tends to break in use - replacement bronze thrusts are much safer.

I suspect that I have original drums (small drums), but how do I know that? Is there a measurement, like diameter that I can take to confirm where I need to start.
Thank you-Paul

I think they are about 8 1/2 inches

Hello Paul I have a wide selection of the rear drums that you are looking for I sent you a PM

Paul, I see you've been with us since January, but I don't remember if I ever posted this for you.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG79.html

It goes into more detail about Roger's advice. I was unaware of this until I was driving my 1923 touring and the right rear wheel locked up. I had to bring the car home by trailer.

Here's the cure: http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html

With the axle book you can make the front and rear axles as good as new.

I just measured my drums and they are about 10". What does this mean?

It means your brake drums & rear end are 1926/1927 era and look like this?


You can buy everything you need for a 26/27 parking brake here;
https://www.modeltford.com/model-t-parts/brakes/page-6.aspx

Or from the other T suppliers of your choice.

Maybe he has RM drums?

Constantine,

I thought about that later. But he mentions "shoes" so I thought they might be stock Model T.

Paul,

Bottom line, you gotta send some pictures.

How can I tell if I have '26-'27 rear brake drums?

Paul. Take a few pictures and post them.
It will help us help you

Large drum '26-'27 wire wheel hub and brake drum on top.
'25 and earlier small brake drum on bottom.


'26-'27 large drum


'25 and earlier small brake drum

I just measured my drums and they are 11". Nothing else there. No backing plates, no shoes, no springs, no nothing. Just drums. They must be from a '26. They look like Dan's picture above, but I have wood spokes. I guess that I need everything for a '26.
Thank you Paul

Paul,I respectively submit ,you of all, need a shop manual.

That's my cue. http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html

Paul

For the '26 you will need shoes (they make re pro's today,but aren't too good) you have to find those, and then add lining which is available. Be sure the backing plates are good with good clips for holding the brake shoes. Then add the spring. Also be sure the cam and shaft are good, you may have to replace those on the rear axle housing.

I have the manual. Maybe I should read it.
Thanx

When all else fails, read the directions.

I did read the manual(s). Not a lot smarter than I was but it helps. Now I will go to various catalogs (and others) to find out what parts I need to find. As I stated above and other places, I need everything, as I only have the drums. This is just one of my many winter projects.
Thank you

You first need to determine which rear axle assembly the car has in it before you start purchasing parts - if your T is a true '23, it should have a small 8" backing plate cast into the housing - a large drum ('26-'27) backing plate is quite larger and pressed steel riveted onto the housing.

Either brake drum for wood wheels is the same 6 bolt pattern so you can't use the drum to determine year of car !

Steve
How do I determine what rear axle I have? I do not have a backing plate. So I assume I have a '26 axle. Wrong or right assumption? When did you move to Longbranch? Sure must be more peaceful there.
Thank you-Paul

SEND A PHOTO

Paul,

You're clearly not experienced enough to tell us what we need to know and we're not mind readers. You've got to take some pictures and either post them here or send them to NOSPAMjerryvan65@yahoo.com and I'll post them for you. (remove the NOSPAM from my email address)

Once we know what you have, we'll let you know exactly what you need.

A couple months ago - and a photo of either housing at the wheel end will be most helpful in identification.

Paul,if there is no backing plate on your axle housings you have a 26-7 rear end. The earlier cars with 8" brakes had the backing plate as an integral part of the casting on the outer end of the axle.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

I will take some pictures in the next few days and try to get them posted. Thank you Allan for you post. That is where my thoughts are, so far from my research.

Update--Here is what I have: I just went to my shop to take some pictures and to figure out what I have. I have a rear axle with 8" molded (part of the rear axle) backing plates so probably original to my 1923. Then I removed the axle nut and wheel so I could measure and photo the drums. The drums measure 10 & 1/2" ID. Could these be Rocky drums? So now my plan is to go to my extra 8" axle and remove the brake parts, see what is serviceable, order what is not or missing and move forward.
Sorry for all of the confusion on my part, but I have learned a great deal about rear brakes. Thank you everyone.
Paul

Drop me a note Paul after you inventory what you need - I can most likely provide all.