tankdiver Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Just started the replacement of the shoes on the transmission brake on the FOX POLECAT To replace them :-take out seat ,undo transmission plates / covers , remove cotter pin and floor bracket on the forward reverse .. If a handbrake is present undo prop shaft nuts, remove 15/16 nut on the hub brake band. remove hub/ brake drum , this may be difficult and a puller may be required once out remove brake bands and replace. Sounds simple but 7hrs in a small space to remove is another matter and poor design + small clips/nuts for the mechanic causes longer time in a small space and for a 70 year old the old joints are stiff. I will need to let s With the poor design on removing the cotter it would not clear the front floor plate by 10mm so the front plate had to be disconnected to allow clearance. The brake hub would not clear the propshaft so the rear panel also needed to be removed to allow clearance for the hub to miss the propshaft just a litle thought would save a lot of time Looking at the brake failure I think the shoes have stuck on the drum and pulled the linings off. This vehicle has been stored for years in Museums and private collections and has only done 134 miles when I got it so it is almost new. but has had small issues to get it road legal and an epic sarga for registration A point when parking our vehicle over winter is to chock the wheels and leave the brakes off Well tomorrow I will build the hand brake up then complete the other side Sorry that the pictures have not come out in order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin craig Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Quite honestly some of the Fox / Polecat design is a nightmare as you found out. Watch out for the fuel change over tap in the floor which if similar to our Fox was put on by someone who stripped the threads and then forced it into association. Watching with interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankdiver Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 Just on the finish line only the tin work and seat to go in . I am always amazed at how the motor vehicle industry was in the 1950 to the 1980 there was a lack of good design. Having said that there was some brilliant changes ;- Disc brakes ' independent suspension. engine and suspension subframes, power brakes and even flasher indicators, so thing have progressed. I started my motor apprenticeship in the early 1960 so have experienced lots of changes in the trade. I became a Lecture in motor vehicle and learned a great deal but as colleges did not allow us to keep up with advances in the trade my 5th year students were outstripping my Knowledge so I took early retirement and bought various military vehicles to have fun in bringing them back to life. Actually doing the hand brake was fidelity but OK the hard part is getting to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankdiver Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickmow Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Ive been using this post as a reference to do the brakes on my Fox, great stuff really really helped cheers Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankdiver Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Thanks Nick I am at present doing a Austin Champ stripping every thing off it , restoring and welding ,it long job and into its second year. In the summer I will restart the polecat and ferret ready for shows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickmow Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 Finally got the brakes done on the Fox, I honestly don’t know how I’d of managed without your pictures and description here, Very happy and most grateful cheers Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankdiver Posted January 11, 2020 Author Share Posted January 11, 2020 Hi Nick Its a lot of work just actually getting to the props and then that stupid brake adjuster ??? I think some army drivers forgot to take the handbrake off as they were often done. Its a good brake when adjusted correct. The polecat is a lot more stable than my Fox was and is faster . I still have Raden Shells for the fox eg steel 30mm and I think titanium ones from helicopters they are green to brass looking if you are interested. I also have tinwork covering the propshafts etc Regards Laurence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickmow Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 (edited) I’ll drop you a message Laurence. and yes the Fox sits proper still now with the propshafts clamped. Just got to remember which order to put all the tin back in now 😁👍🏻 Thanks Edited January 11, 2020 by Nickmow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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