FYI the rubber boots that fit on early front wheel drum brake mechanisms are the same used on many Girling and also Bendix Cowdrey brake applications for many years. They are now available in newer more durable materials. I used those supplied by https://www.designdevelopmenteng.co.uk who are the manufactures and most helpful. (there are cheaper alternatives)
The process is surprisingly easy. Loosen the pinch bolt that holds the top brake link arm that is attached to shaft coming out of the brake back plate. Now back off the brake adjusting nut for the wheel you are working on, until the lower link arm, (situated under the king pin) drops enough to be able to push the brake spindle (that goes through the middle of the King Pin) down far enough to be able to slide the top link arm off. This allows the brake spindle to be withdrawn upwards. Replace the boot and reverse the operation.
The name Brake spindle comes from the USA, where early Ford model A cars have a very similar "through king pin" brake arrangements. The spindle is a simple push rod with ball joints top and bottom that sit in cups top and bottom.
In the image you can see the new boot in place. The top link arm and shaft coming out of the back place is "top left".
Image of top link, spindle and boot.
Image of the adjusting nut you need to release (but not remove) to lower the bottom arm and allow the top arm to slide off the brake shaft
Girling/ bendix cowdrey Mechanical Brake Expander Rubber Boot
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Dhbangham
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Girling/ bendix cowdrey Mechanical Brake Expander Rubber Boot
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Last edited by Dhbangham on Thu Oct 02, 2025 10:05 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Girling Mechanical Brake Expander Rubber Boot
Great that modern technology can also be used for recreating what we need as well as the old school way of repairing. I noticed the Conrod small end had been braised back on in the white metal video.