Hand brake and timing questions

[wilfreeman]

Well, I made a rod for my hand brake today - that's actually easy enough for me to do! If anybody needs one, it cost me a total of $2.99 for the rod at Tractor Supply (I already had the clevis and spring though)! Mine was broken off, so I made one to fit my needs - although I think I made it a little too long, as it starts engaging at the second from the top notch on the handbrake lever.



The rod is 5/16" diameter and the threads are 5/16 x 24tpi - I threaded up a little over an inch. The 'L' end is 7/8" long and has a little raised piece of metal at the bend to keep the washer from going on around the bend. I used a chisel to displace a chunk of metal - I guess you could do a little tack with the welder for the same purpose. I bent the rod in the vise and used my BFH to flatten the bend a little more. I guess I'll have to take it back off the Jeep and paint it now - even though it is zinc plated, the threads will rust.

Just thought somebody might need one and want to make it themselves one day.
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Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)