VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Brake shoe width?

Can anyone enlighten me as to why the front shoes are 2" wide and the rears 1 3/4" when the drums are the same? I just got a call from the brake shop I tasked to reline my shoes asking which width was correct for the rears because the rear shoes off my car were 2" on one side and 1 3/4" on the other and for some reason his brake book didn't go back 61 years. I didn't notice the 1/4" difference when I pulled the shoes but when I looked it up I see that they are 1/4" smaller in the back. Fortunately the shop had cores in the right size.

Malcolm M,

Don't know but I would think that it has to do with weight distribution. If when you applied the brakes and there was equal distribution of weight on the rear wheels as the front then there wouldn't be so much of a problem. With the engine in front and an unequal amount of "tread (print) pressure" in front than in the rear, then the rear end would tend to lock up and break loose. That is also why the front bores of the wheel cylinders are larger.

I hope this helps and best wishes,

Charlie

BTW: I was going to mention your choice of forum but decided not to. I have no standing to do so.

The wider front shoe gives more friction surface for more braking power. When the brakes are applied more of te vehical total weight is shifted to the front wheels. Actually it is a compromise as the weight on the rear wheels can vary due to trunk load and rear seat passengers. The rear brake wheel cylinders are also a smaller diameter. Antu-lck brakes eleminate this problem.