Bradford Brakes locking, Fixed

Keith Andrews · Post by **Keith Andrews** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:43 pm

The other day the front right shoes would not fully release.
Linkages worn etc.???
The problem being the expander in the bottom of the wheel would pull too far in and jam and not release out.
I then took all the play out of the adjusting rods in the front, adjusted as per manual, and still did it.
I then replaced the bushes, in the front compensating linkage, that where ok ...Still locked up.
Going to the back I found the bushes in the rear compensating link where knackered...here I replaced these, took up and slack out of the actuating rods, adjusted shoes etc as per manual.
Fixed.
On test drive...althu the brakes where good before...now if they had power assited as modern brakes are...they would be as good if not better as any modern car.
Thu the pads maybe small, the van is very light, and appears to have an excellent braking ratio.
Again, I no longer accept the common opinion "oh it is a bradford, mechanical brakes, dont expect too much..."
So wrong.

While adjusting the rear linkages I also adjusted the brake light switch, so it would come on with light, non braking, pressure on the pedal....
This way I can appear to apply breaks to tallgaters without actually doing so.

Post by **Forumadmin** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:01 am

Good advice. Hope it prompts all owners to look at theirs.

PAUL BEAUMONT · Post by **PAUL BEAUMONT** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:26 pm

Keith, you are 100% spot on. If everything is done properly the brakes work a dream. You can get away with a bit of movement in the compensator bushes and even a bit of wear on the clevis pins, but if you fiddle around with rod lengths, or have the compensater arms moving through the 90degree position, or don't allow the expander units to slide on the back plates they can be diabolical.
I messed around with mine for almost a year (on and off - much more off than on) before I discovered someone had twisted the end off the little rod between the front compensator and the right hand front wheel, drilled out the clevis and inserted the rod and welded it up. about 1" short but it completely screwed the entire system!

george garside · Post by **george garside** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:44 pm

I quite agree Paul, the reason Bradford brakes are maligned is because they are often in poor condition and not correctly set up. The same/similar system was used by both Daimler & Rover amongst many others and the brakes were superb on a Rover 16 even at 70= mph. When correctly set up on a bradford they should be capable of folding the 3 unocupied seats up completely (as fitted to utility del lux) in an emergency stop. I used to use Ford pop linings which were softer than the official issue and seemed to have more bite. The harder JOwett linings were only required when carrying 10cwt plus.
george

ian Howell · Post by **ian Howell** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:21 pm

You remind me! When I bought a Bradford back in the early '60s, I had to completely rebuild it and when it went for the MoT, the mechanic managed to get himself jammed against the steering wheel! I had fitted the seats with little steel pegs (the slides were rusted away) and when he applied the brakes - yep, the lot shot forward. This was compounded by the loose materials I had stored under bench seats each side over the rear wheel arches. This all landed up under the front seats so I had to 'rescue' the mechanic. He was impressed but not very happy. Still he passed the Bradford. Reg No LLG 125. Scrapped about 3 years later when the engine 'burst' under new ownership. This story appeared in Jowetteer a few years back.

PAUL BEAUMONT · Post by **PAUL BEAUMONT** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:00 pm

Those were the days weren't they? good old Tapley meters etc and not a rolling road emission tester or computer in sight.

Post by **Forumadmin** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:01 am

My last MOT on the Javelin, a couple of months ago, involved a Tapley meter. The tester who was young and quite enjoyed the ride, was very impressed when he and the Tapley descended under the scuttel when I braked! 'That will do' he said.

Keith Andrews · Post by **Keith Andrews** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:06 am

What is a "Tapley meter"
Is it one of those boxes they put on thr floor, take the vechuilce upto a specified speed, then jamb on the brakes, and it reads out a %braking figure?

PAUL BEAUMONT · Post by **PAUL BEAUMONT** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:03 pm

that's it Keith. I did not realise that they were still used. My Bradford was rolling road tested for at least its past 2 MOT's

Post by **Forumadmin** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:41 pm

The young guy thought the rolling road might harm Bengamin and it was too difficult to work out all the weights and braking efficiency requirements on the computer. He was quite surprised when I knew what the Tapley was, and even more surprised when the servo-assisted Javelin brakes kicked in and locked all four wheels on the skinny original Henley tyres now fitted! That never used to happen on the fatter radials.

Keith Andrews · Post by **Keith Andrews** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:42 pm

Now Im realy impressed with Bradford braking, yesterday, a large 4x4 ran thru small roundabout at high speed, right in front of us....
Althu I have often 'tried' out the brakes in places where trafic light turn orange, and instead of going thru, and been inpressed....
The emergency stop yesterday was the true test....and the Braddy passed with flying colours. Sure the skinny crossplys locked up early, and the small contact area with the road caused a little tyre slide... it was even and straight, stopping well within a save distance avoiding the potentual accident Sure the pedal needed more pressure than power assited brakes of modern cars, this was not exessive and easly applied
The light weight of the Braddy is also proportional to the small road contact, making emergency braking distances as good (if not better) as many modern vehicles.

Post by **Forumadmin** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:30 am

Interesting he did not use the Tapley for my Subaru, which has permanent four wheel drive (but does that not count as driven axles?) and limited slip diff in rear. But Pat is correct the weights of the Javelin did not come up on the DVLA computer terminal. Do not tell them anyone!