V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

Going to be trouble shooting a brake problem, so I re-read current issue of V8 Times' article on improperly made replacement brake shoes. (page 95) Said the bad shoes caused pedal to go half way to floor before actuating the brakes. But I don't get it.

Article shows the protrusion on top of the shoe that inserts into the wheel cylinder are too short, about 1/8" shorter than stock. But why would this be a problem? Wouldn't the wheel cylinder piston just sit 1/8" further out in the cylinder bore, still making direct contact with the shoe?

Am I missing something?

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

Jay
I will take a stab at this....I believe the "issue" comes into play with the location of the wheel cylinder cups and the supply hole in "newer" wheel cylinders on the market....The "extra" 1/8 pushes them in too far an thus allowing fluid to by pass the cups!!!

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

I also read the article and this is the way I interpret it. I think what Charlie is saying is that because on all eight reproduction brake shoes, the tabs that engage the wheel cylinder piston's are 1/8" to 3/16" shorter, it takes more fluid to fill the wheel cylinder and push out the shoes. That causes more fluid to be routed from the master cylinder, causing the pedal to go closer to the floor. Charlie proved this by using the original shoes and had them relined and the problem was solved.

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

Jay, You're right.
That wouldn't be a problem as long as the pistons don't come out of the cylinder. On worn brake shoes the pistons are already out farther.
The pistons don't retract to the center of the cylinder,they are against the tab on the shoe and only return as far as the shoe returns. The farther out the shoes are adjusted the farther out the pistons will be. I'm not saying there is nothing wrong with the shoes but 1/8 shorter tab would not be the problem.
Bill

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

The length shouldn't be a problem as the upper adjustment stops the shoes from retracting too far and the residual valve keeps the wheel cylinder piston from retracting too.

We attack the problem of the miss-drilled wheel cylinders by milling the slot in the piston 1/8" deeper. We also use re-lined original shoes and choose not to alter them.

Maybe the repop shoe makers shortened the tab so the shoes would function with the repop wheel cylinders.

Once had a problem with repop '39-'41 shoes that had the lower holes in the wrong location which made it impossible to center the shoes properly.

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

As Rich mentioned, I found some 40 style shoes from Carpenter (I did the R&R a couple years ago) to have the lower cam holes in the wrong spot. It pushed the shoes upward too much IIRC. The vertical steel was also too thick, and required me to grind it thinner to prevent the lower pivot pins from clamping the shoes tight and not letting them pivot on the brass.

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

So it seems like they made defective shoes so they would work with the defective wheel cylinders

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

That's viscous circle. When & where does that end ?

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

When I restored my '51 in the late '80's, I ran into a similar problem (the shoes were too thick to fit into the slots in the pins for the wheel cylinders). I sat down, thought about it, and then realized that the brake shoes on the car were Ford script. I found a place that would re-line the originals shoes, and have never looked back. As some one on here says in their signature line : "Never throw away nothin'" (especially original Ford parts).

Re: V8 Times Article on Bad Brake Shoes
 

I disagree with the article as the NEW shoes to tab is too long causing the issues rockfla mentioned. Some vendors I know are shortening the tabs before shipping. That may have been the issue with the shoes in the article. Again the new shoes the tab is too LONG not short. If your drums are worn more that .020” it usually does not present a issue.