For uncoupled brake cars, the offside bracket can be stiffened as per Tony's top sketch, except that you don't need to drill a hole in the front chassis crossmember. The bolt which replaces one of the rivets in the cross-tube bracket only needs to be adjusted so that the end rests against the back of the crossmember – this is so that it can resist the tendency of the bracket to move forward when the brake pedal is pressed.

The nearside bracket can be supported by a steel bracket formed so that it wraps around the back of the bracket and the front of the front chassis crossmember. It is held in place by a small clip over the lip of the crossmember - see the photo for details (click to enlarge).



Although this is a slightly more complicated method, it does have the advantage that you don't have to drill holes in anything.

David

I suggest that to anyone with uncoupled brakes that you get a friend to press the brake pedal hard while you watch underneath. The amount the cross shaft moves is quite alarming. Without extra bracing it is impossible to get the back brakes balanced. With bracing the improvement is surprising.

How super. Amazing but in a good way. We still discuss and learn on Christmas Day. Like it.