Zephyr/Bendix Backing Plate Wear?

[Fred A]

Just back from the blaster, the backing plate vs shoe wear may need some attention. Can I just dust off the ridge and go? I've used these brakes on early Fords for many years and never had any issue but now that so many decades have past, the components are getting old. Thanks: Fred A

[51 MERC-CT]

You can do what ever you choose but to do it correctly is to fill any wear grooves with weld or braze material and finish the surface flush to original surface.

Standard practice used by many for years.

[Kurt in NJ]

I too fill the wear to original level , usually by brazing

[my4dv8]

I just mig weld the wear and finish off back to original level, should I have brazed it?

[Kurt in NJ]

I brazed because I can come out close so to have minimal finish work, mig would work, just more grinding, and with brazed when you get to original level there's sparks when grinding----- build it with brass to fill low spots, then grind flat till some sparks from unworn area, easy to keep original levels

[51 MERC-CT]

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Originally Posted by my4dv8

I just mig weld the wear and finish off back to original level, should I have brazed it?

Nothing wrong with mig and no specific reason to braze it, just what ever suits the purpose.
To me the only possible down side to brazing is that it is less wear resistant than steel and may wear quicker.
Some years ago I did a set by Tig welding using hard face filler rod.

[Kurt in NJ]

I did get to redo brakes that I did over 20 years ago, one side got new backing plate, other side brazed, was worn less than new all steel backing plate, but both were good enough to just replace shoes

[Fred A]

Tommy at Valley friction on Sherman Way looked at the wear and said to file the groove slightly. He also had some fresh small parts that completed the set. The usual counter man barely knows that they are brakes. Not too many left that know what we need. Thanks: Fred A