Drum Brake Shoes

[cleszkie]

It seems that everywhere I go to get new drum brake shoes for the rear of my 71 EB they try to sell me a set of shoes with no difference between the primary and secondary shoes. According to my past experience, there should be a difference in length of brake lining between the primary and secondary brake shoes (the primary shoe lining should be shorter I think). Is it safe to use the same length of lining on both shoes, or am I correct in asssuming that there should be a difference? Thanks in advance.

 

[bronko69er]

Every bronco drum brake I have seen used the same lenght shoes.....

 

[Viperwolf1]

Yes there should be a difference in the lining length not the overall shoe length.

 

[bronko69er]

Hmm, I dont recall seeing a lining difference, but I dont think I ever looked.

 

[72Sport]

Look at the shoes at the top. The front shoe has the lining shifted down toward the adjuster, probably. Some one got smart and quit inventoring two different linings. The effect is the same since there is almost no movement at the adjuster when the brakes are applied. The last lining I installed on mine were as stated above.

 

[SHX669]

The last set i installed had the same length lining on all the shoes..
i figured it was an inventory thing. I don't think it would affect the automatic adjusters.
SHX

 

[72Sport]

The last set i installed had the same length lining on all the shoes..
i figured it was an inventory thing. I don't think it would affect the automatic adjusters.
SHX

The brake lining on mine was the same length. The only difference the shoe with the lining rotated down toward the adjuster goes on the front. It doesn't have any effect on the adjusters. If you compare the new shoes with the short front lining on the old shoes you will see that the top of the new lining and the top of old lining line up. Lay one shoe on top of the other. You will see you have two shoes that have the lining in different position than the other two. The lining on the front shoe is rotated downward or closer to the adjuster. It has no effect on the adjuster.

Go disc brakes and all your problems will go away.

 

[cleszkie]

Thanks for al of the replies. Sounds like the equal length, but shifted linings are the norm for the rear drum brake shoes. The only reason I asked was because my 72 K5 Blazer has the different length linings on the rear drums, my 71 EB currently has different length linings, and the vintage Clymer manual I have also shows the different length linings. I guess I will go with what the part store throws at me.

And yes, going to disc brakes in the rear would silve this problem, but would create another one - the void in my wallet;D