Three Shoe Brake Linings

The_shoog · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 12:03 AM

I need to reline a set of three shoe brakes. Any recommendations?
I'm in the Bay area, but could send them out.
Thanks.
Jeff

alfazagato · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 03:25 AM

AlfaStop in the UK. Best place!

**multicam** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 09:45 AM

I would highly recommend Alfa Stop also, but for a better turn around I would suggest Brake Materials & Parts Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Besic Motorsports
21W167 Hill Avenue
Scott & Margaret Bethke are AROC members, presi-
dents of CIAO (Indiana) chapter and sports car own-
ers. Third generaion family-owned business specializ-
ing in brakes since 1936. Google - BrakePartsStop@aol.com

They have the Ferodo lining material and I was very please with their turnaround.

I visited their shop in Fort Wayne and got a great tour of the operation by Scott. Great Alfa people

They advert in the Alfa Owner.

Tell them I sent ya.

**alphil** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 04:21 AM

I have to agree with Franks' USA suggestion,Brake Materials and Parts.Scott knows Alfa brakes.Correct linings front and rear,recurved and beveled where needed,easy to talk to,fast turn around and very fair pricing.I'm very happy with my two-shoe setup from him. Regards,Phil

The_shoog · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 08:56 PM

Thanks guys.
Sent the shoes to Brake Materials, and they look fantastic!
Great price, and quick turn around. Now I'm a believer!
Jeff

**multicam** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:07 AM

Glad your happy with the repair. Now , get a good right angle tool and make sure the shoes are parallel to the inner surface of the drum. Some BB have the factory tool that could be rented but I don't know from whom. But, it's easy to make the tool from a short-ended carpenter right angle.

gowanusvin · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 06:59 AM

Would you explain "parallel to the inner surface of the drum" To a layman, you're describing a right angle, not a parallel configuration. Please forgive my ignorance, I've seen this same phrase a million times and never understood it. Result my brakes are miserable.

Alfaguy35 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 08:14 AM

There is a set screw on the rear of the backing plates that adjusts how the brake shoe contacts the drum. If you were to screw it all the way in the brake shoe would rock on it's pivots and would contact the drum right next to the backing plate. If you were to back it out the shoe would contact out near the hub flange. There is a tool that mounts to the wheel studs that lets you check to make sure your shoes are parallel to the inner surface of the drum, that way you are getting contact across the width of the shoe not just on an edge.

gowanusvin · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 08:46 AM

There are actually two adjuster mechanisms on my backing plates. From memory one is a hex bolt that moves the shoe closer or further away from the drum. (Correct?)

The other is the set screw (correct?) that seems to push the shoe closer or further way from the backing plate. So were talking the set screw right? Again, thanks for the clarification.
Vince Coppola

**pathung** · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 09:40 AM

Some people use the term "square" to describe the relationship between the shoe and the backing plate; in other words, the shoe linings need to be at a 90-degree angle (squared) to the plate. It is 90 degrees, isn't it?

**multicam** · #11 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:34 AM

We are presuming that the drum contacts the wheel hub flange surface, flat and the steel linings are 90 degrees in relationship to the flange surface. So, if one places a right angle with the long side on the hub flange surface [ I've used the end of the studs in the past as well] the corresponding edge of the "right angle" should be parallel to the surface of the brake material on the shoes. If not , by turning the adjustment screw on the backing plate one can bring the surface under the right angle tool in parallel.

The factory tool is a square with 4 holes at each corner the fits onto the 4 studs and on one side a right angle tool runs along the outside of the shoes and then make a right angle [adjustable in height only] above the surface of the shoes.

Just what Patrick and Wes said.

**multicam** · #12 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:53 AM

Here is a photo out of the 750 Shop Manual
I presume is it the same for the three shoe drums
Anybody have a similar "generic" tool that they are using instead of the carpenter straight edge ruler?

gowanusvin · #13 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:59 AM

Thanks Frank.

**Andrew** · #14 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 03:16 PM

A quality carpenter's square with one short or adjustable side works.
Andrew