I just bought a 1988 bronco and was annoyed by a clacking noise from the rear brakes. I took the tires/rotors off and noticed a missing washer on the crossbar--I don't know what it's official name is--just after the oblong spring. I went to local parts stores/junkyards and no one's heard of it. One side has it, the other does not. Again, the side that doesn't rattles like crazy. Where would I go to find one? Does anybody even know what I'm talking about?

 

Do you mean the airplane? That's what I call it. I don't know where you'd pick one up. A hardware kit for the rear brakes *might* have one in it.

 

Go to lmctruck.com and put in ford bronco then page 119 look at "rear drum brakes" and in an outlined square #5 is what you may looking for.

 

Nope--but thanks, that's the only online diagram I've found. And no, the hardware kits--at least the ones I've found at Autozone, ADvance, etc--don't have anything but the springs and a few spring washers.

Would Ford even know what I'm talking about? I'd imagine the 21 year old mechanic hasn't changed rear brakes on an 88 bronco...

Am I going to have to beat one out of sheet metal?

 

Nope...here's the Ford Part Number

C4UZ-2A787-B .. Parking Brake Lever Coil Spring Retainer.

The retainer fits on the cross bar (parking brake lever) between the two rear brakes shoes at top. The coil spring is somewhat oval in shape, the retainer has a slotted rectangular hole. First the coil spring slides on, then the retainer. Used on most Ford cars and trucks since the mid 1960's. It's shown as plain as day in the Ford parts catalogs. I'd post a pic, but I'm using Ford microfiche slides.

 

Hey, that's it...How come no one has ever heard of it before? Perfect..just perfect!

 

Welcome to FTE

Someone knew about that brake part... ...otherwise you'd still be looking.

 

Ahhhhhh...ordered it just a minute ago. $2.85...Thanks numberdummy!

 

ND,

I found this thead by Google, and hopefully you can help out. I actually have a F-150 or 250 axle installed in my '65 Mustang race car. The builder wanted the 9" and larger brakes, which works great. Since I do not have an emergency parking break, is the "cross bar" even required?

Steve

 

1965/66 Shelby GT350's used 9" rear ends.

The "crossbar" (Ford terminology: Link - Parking brake lever to primary brake shoe) is part of the E-brake system, since you don't have it, it's not necessary.

 

Thanks Bill,

Since the Shelby GT350 cars and parts cost a premium, many of us vintage racers are finding alternative ways to afford to keep the cars on the track, and still keep within the rules. I'm actually running a clone.

My car has the 11" x 2 3/8" brake drum. I thought the Shelby, if not all Mustangs, had 10" diameter drums. Is that correct?

The reason I'm asking, I moved the brake bias valve to the cockpit and replaced the majority of the brake lines. So while I was testing and adjusting the braking, the "link" and it's springs fell out of it's position. Both sides. That makes me believe we were provided with "links" for 10" drums, instead of 11". But if I don't have an emergency brake, toss it.

Steve