ModelWorks Foden 
Builder's Diary

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Kit 5 - Front Brakes

Kit 8 account

Kit 6 account

 
Contents of kit 5 contains several standard automotive parts
 

Bearing grade Loctite 641 top with the "usual" 638 below

Wednesday 25 October: 

Kit 5 provides the front brakes and should not take long to complete.  This is just as well as I understand that the October kit proper, is ready for dispatch.

In a departure from the prototype the Rex/Modelworks Foden includes a modern braking system based on the front braking system of a pre 1984 Mini.  In fact many on the components in this kit are standard Mini spares.  This is a welcome addition should I ever venture onto today's busy roads.

As I am busy building my trolley I have only had time to read the instructions.  I did note that while bearing grade Loctite is called for none has so far been supplied.  I would advise against using Loctite 638 as the bearing grade has different setting/retaining properties.  I understand the plan is to put some in the next kit which hopeful will be dispatched this week.
 

Friday: As expect kit 6 arrived yesterday and today I dry assembled both kits.  Currently I do not have the front axle assembled as I need to paint the front spring which has just been returned following modification by ModelWorks.  In order to dry assemble the hub I held the stub axle in my vice.

The backplates that support the brakes are handed but unfortunately they were fastened together with a single label identifying them as F40620/F40620M.  Luckily I found sufficient detail on the iso sketches to tell them apart.

Assembly of the brakes was a a little fiddly but accomplished without problems.  Next I assembled the hub.  The shim and Loctite required was included amongst kit 6 which I received yesterday.  I did not use any Loctite as I plan to do this when I am ready to fit the hubs to the front axle.

When I fitted the brake drum I noticed a rubbing sound as if the drum was rubbing on the backing plate.  I don't know if this is real and will Investigate further.   I am suspicious that it is the penny washers used to lift the brakes shoes off the back plate though it could just as easily be the shoes themselves.

I did find several fasteners missing from this kit and  am sure ModelWorks will rectify this.  For the record 2 sets of brake cylinder fasteners and the brake drum securing CSK screws are missing.
 

Sunday: Yesterday I applied the undercoat and today the gloss to those parts requiring painting.   I have recently brought some more paint from Phoenix and on reading the label discovered that equipment may be clean with white spirits.  Previously I have sparingly used expensive thinners and this time I used a sensible quaintly of white sprits.  I found this made cleaning my kite spray gun much easier.

I shall delay further assembly until the paint as hardened; ie several weeks. 

Thursday: The missing bolts arrived today together with a note to saying that some unlucky customers may have the wrong brake shoes in their boxes.  The correct brakes shoes are 32mm (1 1/4") wide, the rouge shoes being wider.