The mechanical brakes on the 1929 Hudson used the nearly-universal Bendix two-shoe brake system. The following table reproduces Bendix Service Bulletin No. A-6a, "Trouble Finder" for the Bendix brake. Obviously, the admonition to "never reline Bendix Brakes. Replace shoes by new factory-lined ones" is no longer operative. Relining is the only alternative available for old-car owners today. The trick is to get brakes relined with an appropriately soft liner, which has more grabbing power than modern brake shoe materials. Upon the recommendation of knowledgeable people who are satisfied customers, I had our brake shoes relined by White Post Restorations, in the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. They do a beautiful job. I sent them brake shoes that were dirty and rusty, with heavily glazed and almost useless lining. 10 days later they had sent back to me a beautiful set of brake shoes that had been cleaned, painted a nice grey, and relined with new Kevlar-based shoes. Re-installation of the brake shoes will require adjustment of the brakes, since the new shoes will be thicker than those they replaced. I expect to post a separate page devoted to this subject, since the process is a little bit arcane.
I have added a few comments to the Service Bulletin text in italics.
| SYMPTOM | CAUSE | REMEDY |
|---|---|---|
| One brake does not hold. | Grease on lining. | Clean with gasoline, wire brush, blow torch, or renew shoes. Stop source of grease leakage. (See Note below.) |
| Bent brake parts interfere with operation. | Straighten. | |
| Rods, and levers not moving freely. | Clean and lubricate. | |
| Brakes not holding. | Grease on lining. | Clean with gasoline, wire brush, blow torch, or renew shoes. (See Note below.) |
| Lining worn. | Replace with new shoes, lined at factory. | |
| Drum rust on linings. | Remove with wire brush. | |
| Grit or metal dust on linings. | Remove with wire brush. | |
| Too much adjustment on rods. | Slacken rods and adjust at drums. | |
| Drums scored. | Lathe, turn or grind concentric to within 10 thousandths or replace. | |
| Rivets touching drum. | Re-rivet if lining not much worn, or renew shoes. | |
| Glazed lining. | Clean with wire brush and gasoline, or replace shoes. | |
| Lever position incorrect. | Release rods and adjust. | |
| Linings wear rapidly. | Drums scored. | Lathe, turn or grind to within 10 thousandths or replace. |
| Brakes dragging. | See "Brakes Drag". Note: no such section on my copy of this service bulletin. | |
| Linings glazed. | Dirt on linings, etc. | Clean with wire brush and gasoline, or replace shoes. |
| Car pulls to one side, though brakes are carefully adjusted. | Incorrect toe-in. | Adjust toe-in to 1/8 to 3/16 inch measured at felloe 8-1/2 in. above ground back and ahead of center axle. Note: "felloe" means "rim". |
| Play in steering joints. | Reduce unnecessary play in steering joints. 1/2 in. turn of steering wheel measured at rim is usually enought play for a new car. Old cars should not have more than 1 in. play after taking up slack. |
Note: There is No Sure Permanent Cure for Greasy Linings Except Replacement.