The Ford Barn

Steve Plucker · 06-22-2019, 08:27 PM

Some Brake Lining kits come with Steel rivets, some with brass...Originally they were Brass...What is your preference?

Pluck

Doug Linden · 06-22-2019, 08:34 PM

I use the brass rivets, my reasoning is that the soft brass rivet is less likely to damage my cast iron drum if the brake shoe wore down far enough.
Now, having said that, I am in the process of redoing my brakes and I purchased bonded/molded linings from Randy Gross this time around. No rivets this time.

CWPASADENA · 06-22-2019, 08:47 PM

I also would recommend brass for the same reasons.

Chris W.

Railcarmover · 06-22-2019, 10:00 PM

from a mechanics point of view brass is easier to service.

Mike V. Florida · 06-23-2019, 04:05 AM

Brass for the above reasons.

kenparker · 06-23-2019, 06:39 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I do lots of drums for the local guys. Brass for the above reasons.

Purdy Swoft · 06-23-2019, 07:28 AM

I prefer brass rivets for the above reasons .

wilfbrad · 02-07-2021, 11:26 AM

Has anyone used pop rivets for brake linings

bobbader · 02-07-2021, 12:43 PM

Pop rivets would be a No-No as far as I'm concerned. Standard brake lining rivets are meant to be swaged only tight enough that the lining is snug to the shoe. If applied by machine (foot powered, electrical, or by hand in a vice) there are means of adjusting that tension so the each rivet is set with the same force. Pop rivets, again by hand or by machine, clinch the rivet in place with the tightest possible force until the stud breaks. This may cause undo compression of the brake lining at each rivet hole which, in turn, will result in the surface of the lining being uneven. The lining will have hills and valleys on the top surface where they hit the drums. This can be cured by arcing the drums if possible. But, there will also be uneven surfaces on the underside of the lining where it hits the brake shoe. Those areas under the rivets will be extremely tight whereas the areas in between the rivet segments may actually have a space between the lining and the shoe. Even if the shoes are arced, this uneven mating of the lining to the shoe may cause issues during prolonged heavy breaking situations. I do a lot of brake relining for Fords and other brands as fed me by another area shop. Proper application is more crucial than what might seem the ease of pop riveting.

To each his own. Good luck however you go about it . Bob Bader

Oldbluoval · 02-07-2021, 04:15 PM

Pop rivets would make me very uneasy if I were depending on them!!!

06-22-2019, 08:27 PM	#1
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets Some Brake Lining kits come with Steel rivets, some with brass...Originally they were Brass...What is your preference? Pluck

06-22-2019, 08:34 PM	#2
Doug Linden Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 259	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets I use the brass rivets, my reasoning is that the soft brass rivet is less likely to damage my cast iron drum if the brake shoe wore down far enough. Now, having said that, I am in the process of redoing my brakes and I purchased bonded/molded linings from Randy Gross this time around. No rivets this time.

06-22-2019, 08:47 PM	#3
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets I also would recommend brass for the same reasons. Chris W.

06-22-2019, 10:00 PM	#4
Railcarmover BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,262	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets from a mechanics point of view brass is easier to service.

06-23-2019, 04:05 AM	#5
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets Brass for the above reasons. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

06-23-2019, 06:39 AM	#6
kenparker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van, Texas Posts: 1,122	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I do lots of drums for the local guys. Brass for the above reasons.

06-23-2019, 07:28 AM	#7
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets I prefer brass rivets for the above reasons .

02-07-2021, 11:26 AM	#8
wilfbrad Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 15	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets Has anyone used pop rivets for brake linings

02-07-2021, 12:43 PM	#9
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 269	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets Pop rivets would be a No-No as far as I'm concerned. Standard brake lining rivets are meant to be swaged only tight enough that the lining is snug to the shoe. If applied by machine (foot powered, electrical, or by hand in a vice) there are means of adjusting that tension so the each rivet is set with the same force. Pop rivets, again by hand or by machine, clinch the rivet in place with the tightest possible force until the stud breaks. This may cause undo compression of the brake lining at each rivet hole which, in turn, will result in the surface of the lining being uneven. The lining will have hills and valleys on the top surface where they hit the drums. This can be cured by arcing the drums if possible. But, there will also be uneven surfaces on the underside of the lining where it hits the brake shoe. Those areas under the rivets will be extremely tight whereas the areas in between the rivet segments may actually have a space between the lining and the shoe. Even if the shoes are arced, this uneven mating of the lining to the shoe may cause issues during prolonged heavy breaking situations. I do a lot of brake relining for Fords and other brands as fed me by another area shop. Proper application is more crucial than what might seem the ease of pop riveting. To each his own. Good luck however you go about it . Bob Bader

02-07-2021, 04:15 PM	#10
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,370	Re: Steel or Brass Brake Lining Rivets Pop rivets would make me very uneasy if I were depending on them!!!