Better Rear Brakes?

Alan Roehrich · 11-10-2013, 04:16 PM

It might be possible to fit the bigger brakes of an A or B body on it. A trip to a salvage yard might yield the parts.

Springs will not help, the springs are return springs, they pull the shoes back.

A premium non metallic shoe, on a fresh turned (or new) drum, with the shoes properly arched to fit the drum will help. Usually the arch of the shoe is not even close to the radius of the drum, so only 1/3 or less of the shoe really bites the drum.

SSGN · 11-10-2013, 04:43 PM

Something we tried is buy 2 sets of shoes and use the long shoes only. I am not sure about that particular car but some models that had power brakes used smaller wheel cylinders and going to a non power brake car application for the wheel cylinders made the cylinder bore larger resulting in more pressure applied to the shoe. Hope this helps
Kevin

Alan Roehrich · 11-10-2013, 04:50 PM

Yeah, two long shoes is a good thing to try. Some times upping the wheel cylinder diameter does help, another good thing to try. You might also try the aluminum master cylinder from a manual brake S10.

Greg Barsamian · 11-10-2013, 05:13 PM

This is the "bolt in" lightweight master cylinder from NAPA pt# M2456

Myron Piatek · 11-10-2013, 05:25 PM

Glaze build-up on the shoes reduces holding ability. It's probably more than I need to do, but after every weekend of racing when I swap my rear slicks, I lightly sand the brake shoes to eliminate any glaze and check the adjustment.

It seems like the cheaper the brake shoe, the better it holds. Softer is better, but I don't know how to tell.

A long time ago, I read that they use a slightly different material between the front 1/2 and back 1/2. One was softer. Don't know if they still do that. I'll have to do a visual comparison next chance I get.

11-10-2013, 04:16 PM	#1
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1,502 Liked 1,642 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Better Rear Brakes? It might be possible to fit the bigger brakes of an A or B body on it. A trip to a salvage yard might yield the parts. Springs will not help, the springs are return springs, they pull the shoes back. A premium non metallic shoe, on a fresh turned (or new) drum, with the shoes properly arched to fit the drum will help. Usually the arch of the shoe is not even close to the radius of the drum, so only 1/3 or less of the shoe really bites the drum. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-10-2013, 04:43 PM	#2
SSGN Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 644 Likes: 128 Liked 140 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Better Rear Brakes? Something we tried is buy 2 sets of shoes and use the long shoes only. I am not sure about that particular car but some models that had power brakes used smaller wheel cylinders and going to a non power brake car application for the wheel cylinders made the cylinder bore larger resulting in more pressure applied to the shoe. Hope this helps Kevin

11-10-2013, 04:50 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1,502 Liked 1,642 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Better Rear Brakes? Yeah, two long shoes is a good thing to try. Some times upping the wheel cylinder diameter does help, another good thing to try. You might also try the aluminum master cylinder from a manual brake S10. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-10-2013, 05:13 PM	#4
Greg Barsamian VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 1,397 Likes: 696 Liked 406 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Better Rear Brakes? This is the "bolt in" lightweight master cylinder from NAPA pt# M2456

11-10-2013, 05:25 PM	#5
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Better Rear Brakes? Glaze build-up on the shoes reduces holding ability. It's probably more than I need to do, but after every weekend of racing when I swap my rear slicks, I lightly sand the brake shoes to eliminate any glaze and check the adjustment. It seems like the cheaper the brake shoe, the better it holds. Softer is better, but I don't know how to tell. A long time ago, I read that they use a slightly different material between the front 1/2 and back 1/2. One was softer. Don't know if they still do that. I'll have to do a visual comparison next chance I get.