TR2/3/3A TR3 Rear Brake Question

[White79MGB]

My 58 TR3a has 10 inch rear brakes. There is a "steady post" with a felt bushing that supports the brake shoes. What is the purpose of the felt bushing? One of the felt bushings is missing and I was wondering how important this is.

 

[Tinkerman]

Don't know how important it is but Moss motors sell them for $1.00. My experience with LBC's tends to make me think that if it is on there and missing it should be replaced. Mine was a 9 inch system and I do not remember the felt bushing.
Regrds, Tinkerman

 

[Don Elliott]

I can't ever remember seeing a felt piece in my 10" rear brakes.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A, TS 27489 LO

https://www.triumphest2006.com/images/clubcars/30donelliott'str3.jpg

 

[Harry_Ward]

I looked in my Bentley and Ball Manuals and see no mention of the steady post with nut and felt. I do see it on the Moss web site listed as fitted to cars TS15322 through TS56376, 10 inch Girling rear brake, which means my car should have it as well. I honestly don't ever remember seeing it. My car uses the pin, spring, and slit washer set to retain the rear brake shoes.

 

[White79MGB]

Instead of the spring/pin/washer setup, I have an adjustable post in that position. The felt bushings fit over that post. (I have three of the four left). They are about 3/8" outside dia x 3/8" long and fit over the 3/16" steady posts. Maybe their function is to keep the shoes from rattling against the post? That's my guess anyway.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Like Harry, my 59 has the spring between cupped washer with the pin you turn 45 degrees to lock. I have always used just 3 because the shoes I have had on there for the past 25 years only have the necessary hole in 3 of them. The fourth seems to have been re-shoed from a donor application that did not use a retaining spring. Hasn't seemed to matter much that one is missing, there really isn't anywhere for that shoe to go once the drum is on but I suppose (as suggested) it might control some rattle or chatter.

 

[Harry_Ward]

I wasn't going to mention this but I remember reading somewhere (I think) that the felt indeed acts as a dampener. The reason I think we have the pin spring and two washer set up is the theory that the stationary brake shoe will (although I don't know how) move outward and rub on to the rotating brake drum causing wear to the drum. I honestly just think mechanics (me included) liked to see things like brakes fastened securely and the idea of the shoe supported by a felt bushing on an open post scared them. That's just my guess and a faint memory as to where I cannot recall, sorry.

 

[JFS]

"Instead of the spring/pin/washer setup, I have an adjustable post in that position. The felt bushings fit over that post. . . They are about 3/8" outside dia x 3/8" long and fit over the 3/16" steady posts."

I have this same setup on my 58. I thought the purpose was to keep the shoes from rubbing the backing plates and to prevent squealing. I spent the two bucks and replaced the felts.

 

[Banjo]

The springs on those brakes get hooked in fom the back so they naturally keep the shoes against the backing plate-post. If you hook the springs from the front it will want to pull the shoes out like a bear trap.(this is how most other cars are set up, thus needing hold down springs)_
the felt on the post is an oiling system. you apply a few drops of oil to the felt and it keeps the end of the post lubricated so it dosen't wear down or wear a hole in the brake shoe frame.

 

[JFS]

Thanks, Banjo. I didn't think to oil the felts. Will do so.

 

[Geo Hahn]

[ QUOTE ]
...If you hook the springs from the front it will want to pull the shoes out like a bear trap...

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeow... that Bear Trap image is an apt description.

Another rear-brake question. My shoes have a lot of material on them but I noticed they have worn unevenly... the outer edge of the shoes has noticeably less wear than the inboard edge. I also found they don't do well if I install them the other way around. Is that wear pattern typical or symptomatic of something?

 

[Banjo]

Thats why those posts are adjustable. so you can "fit" the shoes to the drums. It sounds like the posts are cranked out too far and "cocking" the shoes crooked agenst the drums.