Who relines old brake shoes?

[Tom L.]

Good morning, I have an old Chevy, not corvette...sorry, '54 3/4 ton truck I'm restoring. Brakes shoes are no longer made for these so I was wondering if anyone knows who re-lines brake shoes still. Preferably on long Island NY, would like to stay local. Thanks!

[Tim S.]

Here you go.......

https://brakeandequipment.com/portfolio-view/bonding-and-riveting-of-friction-material/

[Joe L.]

Good morning, I have an old Chevy, not corvette...sorry, '54 3/4 ton truck I'm restoring. Brakes shoes are no longer made for these so I was wondering if anyone knows who re-lines brake shoes still. Preferably on long Island NY, would like to stay local. Thanks!

Tom-----

Are you sure that brake shoes are no longer manufactured for your application?

[Tom L.]

Well Joe, seems the major vendors for this type of vehicle don't sell a replacement, only very expensive re-lining services. I've looked at some on line general parts vendors and they dont SEEM to be available but perhaps you can do your magic. Like you, seems odd that GM would abandon and re-design something that works. My shoes have plenty of material left in terms of thickness but they are cracked and crumbling.

It's a 1954 Chevy 3600 (3/4 ton). Rear drums are 12" diameter and they are 2" in width. If more info helps please let me know. Thanks!

[John P.]

Hello Tom, A friend of mine purchased brake shoes and components from " Chevs of the 40's" last year. His truck is also a 3/4 ton. I installed the front brakes, and they were quality shoes. You can also try "Lutty's Chevrolet Warehouse" in Saxonburg Pa. Hopefully one of these vendors can help. John

[Gary B.]

Well Joe, seems the major vendors for this type of vehicle don't sell a replacement, only very expensive re-lining services. I've looked at some on line general parts vendors and they dont SEEM to be available but perhaps you can do your magic. Like you, seems odd that GM would abandon and re-design something that works. My shoes have plenty of material left in terms of thickness but they are cracked and crumbling.

It's a 1954 Chevy 3600 (3/4 ton). Rear drums are 12" diameter and they are 2" in width. If more info helps please let me know. Thanks!

Tom,

Try this link for brake shoes sold by “Chevy’s of the 40’s”.

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/9921/Chevrolet_Chevrolet_Truck_Brake_Shoes_34_and_1_T_Front_34_Rear.html

Gary

[Joe L.]

Well Joe, seems the major vendors for this type of vehicle don't sell a replacement, only very expensive re-lining services. I've looked at some on line general parts vendors and they dont SEEM to be available but perhaps you can do your magic. Like you, seems odd that GM would abandon and re-design something that works. My shoes have plenty of material left in terms of thickness but they are cracked and crumbling.

It's a 1954 Chevy 3600 (3/4 ton). Rear drums are 12" diameter and they are 2" in width. If more info helps please let me know. Thanks!

Tom-----

I think that brake shoes are currently available but my expertise does not include much about early 50's Chevrolet trucks (or, even later Chevrolet trucks). But, no need to even look. NOS brake shoes are available and for reasonable prices. I show that your application uses the same shoes front and rear. Here are the part numbers, each supercessive to the former, to look for on eBay and any of these will work:

GM #3703512 (the original shoes)
GM #3703513
GM #3848106
GM #3933972
GM #3964529
GM #1 1 1 5 4 1 2 6

The last of these was discontinued without supercession in February, 1989.

[Tom L.]

Thanks guys. Honestly I'm not crazy about 35+ year old shoes. the ones on the truck have enough material on them to be considered close to new but they are cracked in many places and crumbling on one shoe. I've been looking into this a lot and am finding mixed info. I'm not in a huge rush and since this is a non-corvette issue I'll stay on the sidelines until I can update. Thanks again!

[Dan L.]

NAPA has brake shoes listed for your application, front and rear.
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[Steven B.]

Thanks guys. Honestly I'm not crazy about 35+ year old shoes. the ones on the truck have enough material on them to be considered close to new but they are cracked in many places and crumbling on one shoe. I've been looking into this a lot and am finding mixed info. I'm not in a huge rush and since this is a non-corvette issue I'll stay on the sidelines until I can update. Thanks again!

Go with that feeling Tom! I worked in friction production for awhile, brake linings and clutches. (an asbestos plant ) Daily we ran shear and burst tests among others. We tested freshly mixed and cured lining of the day plus various aged samples. Those that were cracked or crumbled were immediately tagged and destroyed as the failure rate was very high. Those imperfections indicated an issue with the component ratio, usually not enough cashew oil or other liquid. Additionally for 35 year old bonded lining the lining has "dried out" and adhesive has likely deteriorated to the point it will release the lining from the shoe. Since the lining is 35+ years old it is likely the lining is composed mainly of asbestos. Good Luck! Steve

[John F.]

Have you looked at the Rock Auto website. They appear to have them.

[Chris S.]

White Post Restorations does re lining and does an excellent job
I have personally used them several times

[Tom L.]

The Napa search seems to be thourough enough to ID the part. I also found that strangely the rear shoes for a '54 GMC were listed on many searches of various parts dealers. I just didn't use Napa because there isn't one that close by. i also noted that there is a FMSI number associated with the GMC shoe, S310. I think napa just changes the S fo FT to make it their own part munber and kept the 310 piece for ID purposes.

What I did figure out after I removed the front and rear shoes was that the only difference was the lever for the parking brake. It's bolted on and doesn't come with the shoes like more modern rear brake shoes. I think that's the reason that it doesn't come up on most searches. It's not an "Exact replacement" based on todays standards since the lever isn't there. After all the truck is 71 years old.

Anyway, problem solved, thanks again for the input.