Commer Girling Transverse Brakes

Hi, is anyone out there familiar with Girling transverse brakes. I have acquired a 1948 25cwt Commer and so far the brakes seem to be my major problem. Everything else hopefully just requires time and money. As you can see from the attached drawing they are similar to the system used on Bedfords, but not interchangeable. I can get the cylinder sleeved and can buy new cups and boots but everything else is rarer than rocking horse manure. The thing causing me a headache is the bit referred to in the parts book as a "seal spreader". NUMBER 37 in the drawing. Also number 40 (plunger pull rod assembly) is totally stuffed but I can probably get them made. They look simple in the picture but there are internal parts corroded beyond use. I had to cut one in half lengthways just to work out how they actually operate.
Anyway, to get to the point, if anyone could even provide a drawing of the seal spreader with complete dimensions I may be able to get one made. The angle on the sides is probably important, not just the diameter. I think it is a solid piece of machined metal, with a hole through the middle, not just something pressed into shape.Also, does anyone know anything about "residual pressure valves." Can you do away with the cup spreaders if you fit one of these into the system.Apparently these brakes were also fitted to early versions of Jaguar MkV's in 1948.

Im quite familiar with Girling wedge brakes .......and have some bits and assemblies for the Girlings fitted to bigger trucks ........but I suspect a 25cwt would have car brakes fitted .

Yes John, you are probably right. The cylinders are only 3/4 bore. I have similar mechanically operated brakes on a 1947 Austin 8 tourer. They don't do much! The Commer does have 14" drums on the back axle though.

Don't think I added the attachment with the diagram first time.
Think I have it right this time. Trev D

On the early ones,the hydraulic cylinder is free to float on the backing plate ,must not be tight......thats what the springs are for ...........other point ,is the rockers and pushrod (6&11).....that must be assembled correctly on the shoe or the brakes wont work..........You can probably still get these parts ,but I bet they are very expensive.

Thanks for your comment John but that's not my problem. I am missing the little parts inside the actual hydraulic cylinder. Otherwise the brake assembly is complete. Previous owners in distant past took the cylinders off, couldn't fix them, then put them back together with bits missing. They then blocked off the pipe to the back brakes and drove it on the front brakes and hand brake. You can tell they used the handbrake a lot because the just about wore out the ratchet. Oh yeah, they also added a set of helper springs so they could double the load. Lucky this was in northern Victoria where it's dead flat.
I know what you mean about the cylinder not being done up tight to the backing plate. That is how it works on the mechanical brakes on my 47 Austin.

Brad Dunn on the Putty Road specialises on the BMC marques with lots of esoteric parts but as there may be a cross over he may be of some help.

Thank you Mammoth, could be worth a try.

Can you get the rubber cups with the hole?........the other bits would be all metal ,and could be made pretty easily from brass or aluminium......I do have books on the early ones,so Ill have a look.

OK,checked the book......see the washers and seal spreaders .......the later ones dont have any of this ......just two rubber cups and a spacer about 1/4" thick to keep the cups apart . ...........Id hazard a guess that the other bits arent necessary .