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Drum Brake Shoes

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by cj573, Apr 10, 2020.

  1. Apr 10, 2020
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2017
    Messages:
    83
    I am finishing up the brakes on my cj5 73 dana 44, I replaced the seals and bearing and all the hardware and wheel cylinder. Know I need brake shoes. Are they all pretty much the same. If not what is a good set of brake shoes.
     
    cj573, Apr 10, 2020
    #1
  2. Apr 10, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,651
    For my cj drum I have used the pro-former NAPA brand - looking at another set for the Willy as well. I've mostly ended up with NAPA ones for the old drums as the other FLAPS have been hard to track down the right part in their database. Kind of guessing a lot of them are all the same ones in a different brand box. On a slightly different note - note sure if it applies or not - but I have used a couple sets of the Carquest Wearever brand (now sold through Advanced Auto) brake pads (discs) on my and my wife's daily driver, and they have been stellar.
     
    FinoCJ, Apr 10, 2020
    #2
  3. Apr 11, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    In the day, you had two choices - bonded or riveted. The cheapest shoes were remans and bonded, but the technology likely has improved today so that bonded are equal or better than riveted. You should also get a bit more life from bonded, since the rivets protrude a bit above the steel backing. Seems there are no remans today - apparently it's cheaper to make new backings and sell an all-new product than to ship the worn-out shoes to wherever and reline them.

    Looking at RockAuto, they have "economy" shoes and "daily driver" shoes. Both Wagner and Delco offer a product in both categories. I have had good luck with the Centric products (in the premium category there), so I might spring for those if I needed shoes. The Raybestos premium shoes are half the price of Delco, Wagner, Bendix ... not sure what's up with that. All should be fine.

    NB if you haven't owned a car with drum brakes before, the shoes don't last nearly as long as disk brake pads, and you need to inspect the linings pretty often. The fronts will wear a lot faster than the rears. You don't want to wear the shoes down to the backing, since this will likely ruin your drums. Drums can be reused a few times, unless they've been severely gouged by the shoe backing.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2020
    timgr, Apr 11, 2020
    #3
  4. Apr 11, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,651
    FWIW - for all the brake shoes I've bought over the last few years, there has been a core refund for the old shoes - so I assume somebody, somewhere, is relining them. Or maybe its just a way to help ensure proper disposal of asbestos part? I am happy to get my core refund either way.
     
    FinoCJ, Apr 11, 2020
    #4
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  5. Apr 11, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Aug 14, 2006
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    3,486
    I have very limited experience with NRS shoes .
    But I have much experience with NOS shoes.
    The original brake linings were NEVER bonded.
    That should tell you a lot.

    I saw gobs of OEM NOS shoes on eBay just yesterday. Let me know and I’ll link ya up.
     
    oldtime, Apr 11, 2020
    #5
  6. Apr 11, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I haven't returned a set of brake shoes . in a long time :confused:
     
    Twin2, Apr 11, 2020
    #6
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