The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop replace brake shoes?

My rear cylinders were rusted frozen. So in addition to replacing them I figure I will replace the springs, etc. Is replacing the shoes a good idea. They are not worn very much, no deep scratches etc. and the money could come in handy with other parts I need. Is it worth the expense for future peace of mind?

Just wondering what the opinions are.
Thanks
Dave

Unless you're going to have the drums turned, I don't see any reason to dump a good set of shoes. Make sure everything else works correctly, and spend that money on more immediate concerns.

Disclaimer: I'm notoriously cheap. If it's going to worry you, get new ones.

crabby,

I agree with Hedgehog (in all regards - especially the disclaimer).

Make sure the shoes and drum have been cleaned, especially of oil/grease. In addition, rough-up the shoes with coarse sandpaper. Be sure to wear a dust mask.

Tim

Can a brake shoe lining that's been exposed to brake fluid and grease be cleaned for re-use ?
Cleaning solvent ?

Rusty46, that's a good question about cleaning break shoes. I havn't got an answer but I would like to know the same thing for clutch plates. Can they be cleaned once they have had oil on them?

Thanks
George

I've had reasonable success cleaning brake fluid off shoes with denatured alcohol. It takes several flooding applications of the alcohol to get most of it off, but it will not completely remove all the fluid if it's soaked deep into the lining. You can usually find it at paint stores, Home-Depot etc. Shellac thinner is also denatured alcohol. Alcohol will not clean oil/grease very well. HLW

Hi George-I've had good results cleaning older Harley Davidson clutch plates with aerosol brake parts cleaner, many spray applications did work to flush away the oil.

I had a leaking break cylinder once and even after cleaning the pads they never worked properly again.
They remained sticky, noisy and eventually cracked after several down hill rides with my daily driver.

Autozone (got no affiliation with them) offers a set of pads for $20 with a life time warranty.
If you keep bringing them the worn shoes, you get a new reconditioned set back at no charge.
I change mine every 3 years on my daily driver.

Remember to install the shoes with the shorter pads on the side facing in the driving direction.
The shoe with the longer pad should face to the rear.
They work more efficiently that way.

Well, what is the value of your truck or whatever you might run into if the brakes should happen to fail

You will NOT be able to get all the fluid out of the shoes. Sooner or later, it will resurface and result in a grabby brake. And it only happens when you need them most. Yes, shoes cost money, but like Luke said, pay now or later.

Use Brakleen to clean the parts. NO, if fluid or grease from axle on shoes, they are done. You may be able to clean and get to work for awhile, but they will "bleed" out the oil in deeper and start to grab bad. I've done that on a big truck and even had one wheel locking up till I backed up some. It had like new linings, just got fluid on them. If bigger truck you can have recovered at brake shops cheaper than new shoes and most hard to find big shoes anyway. Most half-ton shoes are easy to find at vendors. From 51 they go way into 60's as same shoes. Replace springs and hardware if you can find it all. Chevs of the 40s has lots of parts for brakes, but need to open wallet wider!