20h

Getting ready to pull the Model T rear axle for inspection.

You can see that the park brake hardware is completely missing from this car.
Whoever did the AC brake conversion removed the park brake shoes for some reason.

When the AC brakes failed, there was no way to stop the car properly.

I'm going to be removing the AC brakes and installing the larger, Rocky Mountain brakes as well as putting the parking brake system back together.

When you have a Ruckstell 2-speed rear axle like this car does, it's very important to at least have good, functioning park brakes. Even better to have good accessory brakes. If the Ruckstell gets worn, there is a possibility of it sticking between high and low gear, giving you a neutral. If you only have the brake in the transmission functioning, bad things will happen.

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Jul 17, 2026

Reply to ShawnG…

Replies (8)

· 19h

Shawn, I think you said in a previous post that these had the main brake on the transmission and auxiliary/emergency on the rear wheels? That is what is missing with this car?

You always need to forms of braking with an old car.

· 19h

That's correct.

· 19h

Does the brake upgrade block going back to the old emergency scheme? How are you gonna fix it?

· 19h

That was my question.

· 12h

No, the Rocky brakes allow you to retain the original parking brake as well.
The new brakes will work off of the foot pedal and are set up to come on -just- before the brake in the transmission.

· 11h

So Shawn, does that mean there will be triple brakes once you install the original parking brake setup?

· 6h

Yes, there will be parking brake, Rocky Mountain brakes and the driveshaft brake.
All still acting only on the rear wheels.
Brakes on the front might make the car flip over. 😝

· 1h

Front brakes would only change which direction you’re facing as you slide into the ditch.