The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Brakes

Bought some brake shoes at Napa and they are just under 3/16" thick and the old brakes are just under 1/4" it does not seem like there is very much material on the new brake shoes is that typical for new brake shoes or would a different brand have a thicker pad?
Has anyone had this concern before?

Thanks

Hy fifty3, it seems to be the way of the world, suppliers of pretty much everything, charge you the same or more than previously, but give you less, or the minimum amount. On the other hand, the last thing you want as a supplier is for someone to be walking around badmouthing your product because it wouldn't fit into a new brake drum out of the box. In the old days we used to reline brake shoes with oversize or "raw" lining, and then grind/machine them to a clearance size for whatever drum size we were working with, but of course that was before we realized the danger of small particles floating around in everyones breathing air.

I guess they will be ok, I just don't want to have to pull it apart again to change them out to soon because their just doesn't seem like a lot to wear down.

Thanks for sharing the Info

The composition of the brake shoe friction material may have a different composition then they did back in the day, so they last longer? That's just a thought, so they don't require as much material. Maybe an expert on the subject will chime in.

I had a similar experience, I bought brake shoes from LMC for my '66. The thickness was fine, but they were smaller than the ones they replaced, the front shoe wasn't as long as the old ones. All dimensions were right, just about a 3"X6" instead of 3"X8" friction pad (estimate dimensions). I decided that for things like that, I'm sticking with my local NAPA. Costs a little more but its better parts.

On a side note, its a little disheartening pulling off all the old parts marked "Made in the USA" and replacing them with "Made In China". No way around it sometimes, its the way of the world.

Erik - I think if you look in your shop manual you'll find the secondary shoe [front of each wheel] is supposed to be shorter than the primary shoe .... the general intended it that way, if you previously had shoes with the same length linings, somebody goofed

the thickness of the linings is likely to have to do with whether they're bonded or riveted, riveted shoes will be thicker material to give the same wear depth and still leave enough material for the rivets to hold

Bill

The secondary shoe is the one that has the longer brake lining,and it is always to the rear of the wheel.

The primary shoe has the shorter brake lining and goes to the front of the wheel.

If I'm wrong,please correct me.

Thanks,Tim

your right Tim, sorry, I switched the names .... length difference and positioning as stated by us both

Bill

You might want to check that the curvature fits your drum OK. With the same steel blank, a thinner lining will give a different diameter shoe.

It sure is disheartening, when the wheel cylinders came off and the new ones said made in china.At least it was only on the bag and not the actual cylinder but it sure is a shame. (in my opinion)

Bill and Tim, thanks for the info. I'm glad I put that up here, I was a little worried about it. Nice to know its supposed to be like that.