57fordsforever.com

Where can I buy American made rear brake shoes? Evervthing i'm finding on line is chinese. 57 custom 300.
Thanks

Most likely you are not. The simple truth is low demand and the cost of manufacturing in the U.S.

If you also notice, the off-shore shoes are coming through with both front and rear shoe pads being the same length, quality be damned.

The best way out (IMO) is if you have a good set of shoes have then relined by a QUALITY VENDOR. There are varying quality/degrees on friction materials available for how you drive the car.

Check this out - https://www.brakepartsinc.com/raybestos/products/friction/brake-shoes.html

NOTE - The above shoes are available in rear only. Meant to be used with front disc.

Your  probably right, Do you know of a rebuilder? thanks Barry

I bought riveted shoes by Centrix 11200550 (Heavy Duty) from Rock Auto. They actually had different length linings for the leading and trailing shoes. You might look at DFC, Rock Auto sells them also. I bought ACDelco cylinders.

Quote from: lalessi1 on 2022-10-09 09:04I bought riveted shoes by Centrix 11200550 (Heavy Duty) from Rock Auto. They actually had different length linings for the leading and trailing shoes. You might look at DFC, Rock Auto sells them also. I bought ACDelco cylinders.

CENTRIC is a quality product. They got me out of trouble with a TAURUS (ABS) and ESCAPE. Even MOTORCRAFT now is CHI-COM. CENTRIC is made in CHINA but is a quality product. They have several quality levels including HI-PO (STOP-TECH).

I was looking at the Dynamic Friction shoes, I may give them a try for the rears on my car. I just put a set of something else from my lps on the front and was not impressed by them. I'm driving it to the Mountain Moonshine Festival in a couple of weeks, I want it to be safe. Barry

Quote from: BP57CUSTOM on 2022-10-09 08:46Your  probably right, Do you know of a rebuilder? thanks Barry

Don't ever get old and forgetful ...

If you GOOGLE BRAKE SHOE RELINING, you will get a wealth of info.

Just be careful of the lining materials (Ceramic - Carbon Metallic - KEVLAR) you buy (QUALITY) and the type of driving you do. Riveted only. There are no cheap brakes shoes.

Unfortunately I'm already old and forgetful. I would also like to get my front shoes that I have already replaced relined. I'll google thet.

Depending of the re-liner you come across and choose, many can arc-grind the shoes to match the drum if you give them the mic specs.

Riveted only.

Whitepost Restorations in Va.

... hmmph ...

https://whitepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/brake-request-form-interactive-2021.pdf

I did not know they did shoes ...

THANX! ...

I drove my 57 to Dawsonville Saturday and had to be very careful all the way (210 miles round trip) at one time comming back the chingchong brakes on front fadded and I almost ran thru the red light. I haven't had time to pull the front hubs since I got back home. I want to see what the brake linings look like now, they smelled like they were burning off. I have been looking for some US made NOS shoes to turn up on ebay. But i will check these people and see what they can do. Thanks a lot Barry

Barry did you have the shoes arced to the drums? If not the new shoes may only be hitting on the high spots. New shoes that aren't arced can take many miles before they wear in and make complete contact, especially if the drums have been turned..

Quote from: hiball3985 on 2022-10-25 12:22Barry did you have the shoes arced to the drums? If not the new shoes may only be hitting on the high spots. New shoes that aren't arced can take many miles before they wear in and make complete contact, especially if the drums have been turned..

GOOD POINT!

Some reliners can arc the shoes if you give them the exact drum diameter (both should be the same).

Below is a cheater method for new shoes for quicker seating if arc grinding is not available.

Drum brakes are a pain as when the ill-fitting shoes expand, after a few stops the drums heat and expand and you lose braking. Also, as a new set wears in, the adjustment keeps getting larger making more frequent adjustments necessary.

But if the friction materials are quality and all hydraulics are good, they will stop a car.

If the drums have been turned in the past making the diameter larger you may find the shoe contact is only in the center of the shoe. Hold a shoe against the drum and see where the contact is.
I had this problem with my F100 and I'll bet it took several thousand miles before the shoes fully seated.

No I didnt have the shoes arched to the drums. I've never had this problem with new shoes before. When I get a chance to look at them again I'll see how it looks. I had two (that's right) batteries go out on my car and truck today so I have been pre-occupied. I have some doubt about the friction material since these are chinese shoes. I'm   holding up on doing the rears for right now.

Today I got around to looking at my front brakes I put on about 5 weeks ago. They performed very poorly on our trip to the Moonshine Festival last week. They smelled like they were burning, had bad brake fade and created a ton of brake dust in the drums. They appear to fit the drum ok. I knew the short shoe was a little                               
shorter than the original short shoe. I removed them today and compared them. The friction material is 2" shorter than the original. That means they have  roughly 15 or 20% less stopping power than the originals. I removed them and put the old shoes back on untill I can do better. Dont buy (BrakeBest Select) they are junk.

QuoteI removed them and put the old shoes back on untill I can do better.

Now are the old shoes original FORD do you think?

Yes they are, FOMOCO embossed in the metal, 20221029_150643.jpg

Those are what I would have relined.

Have you found a reliner yet? All I have messed with are HP ($$$). I would check with WHITE POST as they are a class act. Make sure you discuss friction materials and what they offer.

I havn't found a a reliner yet, have not looked a lot. I'm still watching for a nos American made set to show up somewhere. Here is a comparison between the original and the chinese set.
  Im afraid my picture posting leaves a lot to be desired.

Riveted shoes are generally the better choice if you can find them.  I have installed used, OEM, riveted shoes rather than new bonded off-shore stuff.  Just a thought, the original '57 brake design assumed shoes with linings that contained asbestos.  Todays remanufacturers can not use linings containing asbestos.

Quote from: gasman826 on 2022-10-30 12:17Riveted shoes are generally the better choice if you can find them.  I have installed used, OEM, riveted shoes rather than new bonded off-shore stuff.  Just a thought, the original '57 brake design assumed shoes with linings that contained asbestos.  Todays remanufacturers can not use linings containing asbestos.

WHAT THE MAN SAID ...  :thumbsup:

BP57CUSTOM -

Did you get my PM?

Quote from: lalessi1 on 2022-10-09 09:04I bought riveted shoes by Centrix 11200550 (Heavy Duty) from Rock Auto. They actually had different length linings for the leading and trailing shoes.

Just wondering, did you buy these for front or rear? According to their sizing chart, they are only 1.75" wide (rear shoe size).

OK, I think I have found an out for FRT SHOES.

Is anyone interested as it is a lot of material?

I bought them for the back. They didn't match the dimensions in the Ford Manual but they were riveted. The width was correct and the leading and trailing lengths were not the same. I could not find drums but since then I saw new drums on eBay.

Quote from: lalessi1 on 2022-11-18 08:22I bought them for the back. They didn't match the dimensions in the Ford Manual but they were riveted. The width was correct and the leading and trailing lengths were not the same. I could not find drums but since then I saw new drums on eBay.

THANX! for the reply. So they were for the rear ...

I ordered a pair of rear shoes a couple of days ago. They are relined nors made several years ago in Tennessee. If they are good I think I can get a front set as well. They are bonded but I think they will be ok.

Update on brake shoes. well the nors shoes I ordered weren't the size advertised. I had to return them, that took several days. I have since ordered set of NOS Ford shoes for a 1985 bronco which I think will work. I'll let you know how it goes. This will be a good source for the front of 57's if indeed it does fit. Barry

I received my Genuine Ford brake shoes today, they look good. They are 1985 big Bronco rear shoes and also fit F150 rear in that era.I matched them up to the drums and they mate up very well. Hopefully this will take care of the front. I havne't looked at the rear shoes on my 57 yet I may or may-not need new shoes there. But if I can find some NOS or NORS that will work I will go ahead and buy a set. Its raining here so will be a few days before I can road test. Maybe this will help someone else looking for American made brake shoes.
Barry20221209_143752.jpg