brake lining advice wanted

[Patrick in west falls]

Hi,
I hope this isn't controversial, like motor oil
but I need to do my first brake shoe relining job and wondering what linings to use
woven or molded, I remember reading once that one or the other squealed
or some such thing

what say?
tnx pjw

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I think things have changed the corner in this respect over the past few years. I used to use bonded on Kevlar molded linings that were specifically shaped and installed for my application. Finding brake shoes that were not excessively worn had become a problem for me so I have switched to the brand new shoes that have the lining already installed. This is another area where having the proper tools and experience installing them greatly affects how well the shoe lining will work and last.

.

[jkeesey]

Definitely the woven linings, not hard ones. The hard ones are really only good if you are running cast iron drums and they still don't stop as well. The best way it was described to me was if your playing basketball on a hard floor whats going to be a better shoe, a soft athletic shoe or a hard dress shoe?

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by jkeesey

Definitely the woven linings, not hard ones. The hard ones are really only good if you are running cast iron drums and they still don't stop as well. The best way it was described to me was if your playing basketball on a hard floor whats going to be a better shoe, a soft athletic shoe or a hard dress shoe?

I also prefer the woven lining. I have tried the bonded lining with cast iron drums and still feel that the woven lining stops better. I grind a taper on the leading and trailing ends of the lining, almost all the way to the rivet holes. Tapered ends makes a BIG difference when you install the drums. When the end rivets are installed it causes the ends of the lining to slightly kick out . Without the taper, some are unable to get the drums over the relined shoes. Building up the tracks and centering the shoes is a must.

[TinCup]

Switching out the bonded hard linings to woven made a tremendous difference in my coupe.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Now remember, there are different types of bonded linings just like different types of paint.

[Bob C]

Doesn't bonded linings refer to lining that are glued on as opposed
to riveted.

[jkeesey]

Yes the bonded just means the linings are glued to the shoes rather than rivetted. They last longer since you don't have to worry about hitting the rivets but most people assume molded means hard lined.

[Purdy Swoft]

Yes bonded lining is glued to the shoes. There used to be, maybe still, a molded lining that was riveted to the shoes. The molded lining that I have seen in the past was hard and would break fairly easily, I would avoid it. Like Brent says there is differences in bonded lining, if you use it, you need to know which to use and have a source . Woven lining was originally used and readily available from most if not all model A venders.

[RHD]

There is a softer grey bonded lining available. Good for steel and cast iron shoes. It does not squeal and wears 3 times longer than the woven lining. Another advantage is the brake shop can grind to thickness to compensate for any metal removed from the drums. Get the linings and drums done at the same time. Each pair of linings must be marked to each drum as variations can occur from drum to drum. I have used these grey bonded linings for about 20 years with no problems at all. I would never go back to riveted linings, which when worn can easily score the drums. Bonded linings have been used in every professional restoration I have ever undertaken.