MTFCA Forum

My first time installing AC brakes. I need to know the size of the extra long mounting bolts to attach the fixed portion of the brakes to the backing plates. From limited research it seems originally only one long bolt was provided for each side. However it appears from Larry Skidmore's ad photo, two were provided. One for the radius rod, one that pivots the parking brake. I would think both would be necessary. The brakes are original if that makes a difference. Any help appreciated.

Take the length of the original and add the thickness of the casting. I used lock washers and modern nuts when I installed mine years ago. Also, you want nonthreaded shank to make up most of the length for better fit and support.

Good point re the non-threated shank. Thank you.

If I recall correctly, the stock pivot bolt for the parking brake has a thinner than normal head. Make sure that the new bolt head isn't too thick.

Yes, thank you, Mark. I'm thinking I may not be able to find bolts with the same threads as are used on the stock set up. If not I'll use off the shelf bolts same od and turn down the heads of the pivot bolts.

Without knowing just what is required in thread length and length of plain shank, it may be better to turn off some of the under side of the bolt head, depending on requirements.

Allan from down under.

Yes. Thank you

Allan wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 21, 2025 6:10 pm

Without knowing just what is required in thread length and length of plain shank, it may be better to turn off some of the under side of the bolt head, depending on requirements.

Allan from down under.

No need, length is good as is. Just shave the top of the head of the bolt about half the thickness. That's all I had to do with mine.
[attachment=0]IMG_4782.jpeg

Easy peasy then Kent.

Allan from down under.

A couple of the pivot bolts (inner and outer brakes if both are used!), the shank is supposed to seat inside the casting! If it doesn't, it is a stress point that can become a fracture and brake failure.
It sometimes takes a bit of finagling to get the shank the right length to properly seat. But I never had much trouble finding a bolt close to the perfect length that with just a bit of trimming (sometimes the underside of the head) worked out perfectly. I often had to find the perfect shank and then waste about three inches of thread.

Thanks for the help guys. After struggling to mount the passenger side, I see that I would have to gring down one eyelet on my cast earned radius rod and grind off a portion of a rib on my re housing for the band to correctly track the hub. I decided I'm not going to do that
I'll post a 'trade for'ad on in the classified.