Author Topic: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?  (Read 18355 times)

seattle_Jerry

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Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« on: March 30, 2010, 21:09:32 »
I see where its says the minimum thickness for the brake shoes....but I'm getting mine re-shoed. What is the maximum or original thickness?

RickM

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2010, 16:50:08 »
Jerry,

As a starting point, I believe 3/16" is a very common thickness used by reliners. Are you having it done by a professional? Will they inspect the shoe for damage, re-arc, coat (paint) metal frame and use the proper rivets (I doubt they're bonded) when refurbishing?

If there are cracks in the metal frame of the shoe they should not be repaired and reused. Many prefer the hollow brass rivets over other attachment methods.
Antiques car restorers sometimes go with the thickest brake media that fits within the drum. So, there may be a level of play to work with.

My 2 cents....
« Last Edit: March 31, 2010, 16:55:27 by RickM »

Benz Dr.

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2010, 17:32:23 »
Well that's what 2 cents worth of free advice will get you.......
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

RickM

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2010, 18:26:21 »
If you notice: "As a starting point"

Have anything better to offer other than an insult?

graphic66

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2010, 19:35:59 »
I have something, the brake shoes in my 230SL are bonded. I have not seen any riveted shoes for the SL. Most times you purchase the whole brake shoe and return your used ones as a core. The 230SL brake shoes are rare and expensive from my past experience. I just switched over to 4 wheel disc though, so my drum days are over. Although there is a company here in Rochester known Worldwide for brake and clutch rebuilding. Rochester Clutch and Brake http://www.rochesterclutch.com/ They can reline your shoes and arc them to your drums if you wish. That is the proper technique, but it is rarely done that way. Most people just buy shoes, turn the drums and put it back together. That is all I have ever done except for on my Unimog, that had huge drum brakes and riveted shoes and Mercedes only sold the pads/shoes with rivets and it takes special equipment to rivet on the shoes. 

seattle_Jerry

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2010, 08:39:24 »
This place is down the street from me...

http://cascadefriction.com

Thanks for the input...I didn't think about arcing. It may be overkill for my purposes. We'll see how just turning the drums and new pads bonded to the shoes goes.

graphic66

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2010, 14:51:57 »
Be careful turning the drums. Some people running the machine take to big of bites to quickly and turn the drums farther than needed. Most times this is not a problem. But the drums for your 230SL are about $2000.00 each brand new. In watched while mine were turned and wouldn't let them out of my sight. I explained to the shop my concern and they were very accommodating. Just turn enough to clean them up and break the glaze on the surface, and take small amounts on each pass as not to get the metal too hot.
   I know there are less expensive alternatives to new drums such as relining the old ones or buying a set of used ones from me. But if you can avoid the added expense by carefully turning the drums it would be good.
  Rochester Clutch and Brake also can make the pads thicker to make up for drums turned beyond specs, at least in my Case of the Unimog they said I didn't need to buy new drums, but I did anyways. Brakes are the most important element of your car, no shortcuts. Also while your in there flush the brake fluid and of course clean everything up and get everything moving freely.

Benz Dr.

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2010, 21:05:43 »
Well.......... if 33 working on these same cars is worth more than two cents then I'd call that a sarting point.  :)

 The shoes are 10mm from the back including the new material when new. They are never riveted on but it could be done that way. Expect half the pad life if you go that route.
Arcing the shoes is more usefull on front brakes but then you're talking 190SL's so I wouldn't get too worried here.
The rear drums are alfin and are exspensive new. The rear drums on 113's are the same as front 190SL drums so used ones are around and usually well worn. You can't re-line a brake drum. Get a different one.  :)

 
   As a general word of advice, take EVERYTHING you see and hear around this site with an eye of suspicion and grain of salt. A lot of what you see, read and hear is BS. :-[ Some of it is very correct info and some of it is pulled from this site or other internet sites by those who are good at finding information but that's all. :-\ Hey, after all, it's just information, right? ::)

This isn't a bad place for info but it's a good as the prople who put it here. In other words, make sure when it comes to really important stuff like brakes. That might mean having to ask someone who works of this stuff or, god forbid, a '' real mechanic. ''  ;D

 
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

69280sl

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2010, 02:35:48 »
Rick:
I for one (and I'm sure there are many others) appreciate that you responded to a request for information.

Gus
Gus

68 280sl, signal red/ beige/black softtop. Car # 1084

graphic66

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2010, 13:42:43 »
Here is a place that can reline alfin drums http://jgrefinishing.com/index.html  I knew I had heard about this process, I think it was on this site. They also have them listed for sale at K&K for $1050.00 each. I am not sure if the relining is practical, but it is possible. I am not a real mechanic, just a backyard hamfist, but I do play one on the internet.

RickM

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2010, 18:12:24 »
Rick:
I for one (and I'm sure there are many others) appreciate that you responded to a request for information.

Gus

Gus, Thanks for the kind words. I have holes in my tongue from biting it.

BTW, I have a stationary pneumatic brass riveter for sale if interested.   ;)

Benz Dr.

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2010, 20:44:11 »
356 cars have aluminuim brake drums with cast liners similar to what MB used. Those might rare enough that you could justfy the exspense. If the rear drums are that worn out on your 230SL you can always get used ones or simply use the full cast biron types. I'm pretty sure you car won't notice all that much.
About half of the 230SL's service have cast rear drums. I can't imagine anyone paying 1000 bucks for a brake drum......
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

seattle_Jerry

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2010, 23:25:29 »
So 10mm including the thickness of metal it sits on?

guitarlover

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2010, 16:40:41 »
I think the best thickness is 3/16.


Drum Shop

Benz Dr.

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Re: Rear drum brake shoe thickness?
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2010, 18:43:05 »
Yeah, 10mm includes the brake shoe material or backing.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC