The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Resources for shoe re-lining etc...for my 1951 GMC 451

Morning fellow 'Bolters,

I'm coming up empty on my search to find anyone in my region that will re-line shoes and even turn large brake drums. Do any of you have resources that you would be willing to share? The region i'm looking in is NE/SE Kansas, NW/SW Missouri, NE Oklahoma and SE Nebraska.

Thanks

For turning brake drums, pretty much any industrial machine shop with a large lathe will be able to do it. Try asking some oilfield guys if they know of anyone.

Check with your local Big Rig repair shop, they should have a source for brake shoe linings and drum turning. Local car repair garages aren't setup for big truck stuff.

Mike B

I'll be on vacation for Christmas. I'll reach out to some at that time. Thanks

Are your brake linings bonded or riveted to the shoes? I have a shoe riveting machine if you can find the proper linings. There are usually lots of them on Ebay, and the right rivets, at very reasonable prices. On some of the really big rigs (18 wheeler size) the brake blocks are simply bolted to the shoes with pan head screws, with self-locking nuts on the back side. A commercial machine shop with a big lathe and a tool post grinder should be able to clean up your drums.
Jerry

I used to turn drums, but we quit doing that a long time ago. I still have the machine. If you have someone turn them, make sure they finish with a grinder. The cutter will hop over hot spots and leave you with an out of round drum. I always finished the job with a grinder to grind the hot spots. If you can't find pads, call San Antonio Brake and Clutch in San Antonio, TX. They go out of their way with obsolete stuff. And UPS shipping on just the pads wouldn't be that bad. And you can either rivet or bolt them on.

You might try Lincoln Clutch and Brake Supply, in Lincoln, NE

I got mine relined at Brake and Clutch Supply in Seattle, WA. They are really knowledgeable on the old stuff and have vintage linings in stock.

Try this shop Auto Brake and Clutch in Omaha. You can tell them they were recommended by John at Arnold Tool in Council Bluffs.
I believe the owners name is Lon.

Auto Brake and Clutch

John

All that's really needed to reline brake shoes is a drill press, a few small C-clamps, and a pop rivet gun. Maybe a disc sander to radius grind the lining once it's on the shoes. More sophisticated equipment just makes a high volume shop more profitable.
Jerry

Would regular (I assume steel) pop rivets hold up to the heat and not fatigue loose?

I had a local tractor repair shop reline mine. If there's one in your area, they might be able to do it.

The correct rivets are usually brass or steel, but not pop rivets. I don't know that I would trust pop rivets for this, however I could be wrong and maybe they're fine.

A steel, or stainless steel pop rivet will have much greater shear strength than the brass rivets that were used for decades. the average brake lining has at lest 10 or 12 rivets holding it onto the shoe. Also, the pop rivet has a solid shank through it, rather than the hollow brass tubing in a conventional brake rivet. Brass brake lining rivets were made for quick assembly in a production shop, not necessarily maximum strength.
Jerry

Interesting. So, they'd be OK then? If that's the case I might try to buy the linings and do 'em myself versus $230 at the brake and clutch place. Although in fairness, they do a really nice job.

Look into using "clecos" to hold the linings in place while you're riveting. They're usually used for sheet metal assembly during riveting jobs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264684264232?

Linings can also be bonded to the shoes, using thermo-setting cement- - - -2 hours at 400 degrees F.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256714559357?

Jerry