possibly changing from woven brake linning
 

hey barners, I have woven brake linings on my 37 fordor that were done not to long befor i got the car. I assume it was done that to keep original. i have adjusted all 4 corners a few times,and think i have got them about as goo as it gets. did ford use woven because thats all there was in 1937 or was because to make the drums last longer. i was wondering if the bonded brake shoes wil fit in my orig backing plates? im sure the bonded linnings will wear the drums but stop a whole lot better is this correct? tom

Re: possibly changing from woven brake linning
 

woven lining is much better for your car.

Re: possibly changing from woven brake linning
 

If they are riveted woven linings, they will stop far better than the bonded linings out there today.

Re: possibly changing from woven brake linning
 

Tom, Those that advise woven may have done so thinking about the earlier model Fords. The fact is that Ford did start out with woven shoes early in the 1937 production year, but soon changed over to molded lining, never to return to woven again, and for good reason. Woven will certainly skid the wheels for you, but properly set up molded shoes will also skid for you if you want, and in addition, will afford you more control in stopping your car, last much longer, and will save your tires from early replacement.

If you have adjusted at all four wheels and think you've got it "as good as it gets", you're probably far from that point if that's the only adjustment you've done. The '37-'38 Fords have the Lockheed self energizing system, which is superior to any Ford brake system up until 1949 when the Bendix system surpassed them.
I would advise you to go through your brakes from the first clevis at the cross shaft to the drums to ensure that the entire system is up to snuff and properly lubricated within the sheaths, and importantly, go with molded shoes from a Friction Materials Supplier, not a brake shop, as by law, modern automotive molded shoes are compromised with more metallic inclusions to minimize asbestos use. Finally, for optimum performance and ease of maintenance, convert the adjusting mechanisms to the star adjusters as was done with Bendix brakes.

Re: possibly changing from woven brake linning
 

>>>the Lockheed self energizing system>>>


I don't think Lockheeds can technically be classified as self-energizing like Bendix. In Lockheeds, all the shoe force against the drums comes from pedal force. In Bendix, much of the shoe force against drum is enhanced by the car's own momentum.


If FlatHeadTed had invented his Bendix-style mechnical floaters sooner, I never would've changed my 38's mechanical Lockheeds to hydraulic Lockheeds. Sure, the Lockheed hydraulics are easier to evenly adjust all 4 corners but they don't stop any better than the mechanicals with the same shoe material. I'm still waiting for Ted to release his floater kit for the Lockheed hydraulics that he's been testing.