Arc Brake Shoes to Drums

[Vic in E-TN]

I will be doing a brake job soon and want to tap some experience on how exact the fit of the shoes to the drums should be. I have approximately 0.0015 in between the middle of the lining and the drum. Is this close enough?

Vic

[BillLee/Chandler, TX]

Originally Posted by Vic in E-TN

I will be doing a brake job soon and want to tap some experience on how exact the fit of the shoes to the drums should be. I have approximately 0.0015 in between the middle of the lining and the drum. Is this close enough?

Vic

I suspect that is close enough.

I just want to know how you measured that clearance.

[bobbycoke]

Vic I believe the reason for arcing the brake shoes to the drum is to make the distance from the shoe to the drum is even all the way around... The adjustment will make the distance, the idea is to have all the brake shoe surface contact the entire drum surface for the maximun stopping ability[friction]... I have my shoes arched to match my cast iron drums and stop on a dime with a nickle change!!!!!

[Vic in E-TN]

Bill:
I used a feeler gauge - 1/2 in wide. 0.002 felt hard to pull it through between the lining and the drum and 0.001 felt easy to pull through.
Vic

[Jim Parker Toronto]

Vic, 0.0015" would be great! That last little bit will be worn in the first 100 feet of brake use. Good job! After this it would be advisable to center the shoes in the drum!

[Vic in E-TN]

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Jim
Thanks. I did not think about re centering the shoes after a few miles on the road. It makes sense - only more work.
Vic