Clare Snyder posted for all of us...


>
> On Mon, 8 Jan 2018 07:03:33 -0500, Meanie > wrote:
>
> >
> >> Also, only one shoe is worn, and it's the front shoe, and it's been on
> >> there for 175K miles, but I wonder if the shoes can be switched, so that
> >> the front shoe is in the rear and the rear shoe is in the front, since they
> >> wore so unevenly (sort of like rotating tires).
> >>
> >Much depends on the vehicle. Many shoes are identical and it doesn't
> >matter if they are placed in front or rear.
> Define "many"
>
> Only vehicles with "twin leading shoe" brakes use the same shoe front
> and back - and I'm not aware of ANY vehicle built with twin leading
> shoe brakes since the early seventies - and then only British
> vehicles. The leading and trailing shoe are generally of different
> lengths as well as often different friction materials.
>
> > Others are specific and
> >require proper position and seating. In your case, the shoes appear to
> >be the same but that wear is something I wouldn't simply "rotate" with
> >the other side. One side wearing more than the other is not normal and
> >should be checked, repaired/replaced then install new shoes with the
> >proper even thickness.
>
> Actually it IS common - and considered normal, for the "leading shoe"
> to wear differently than the "trailing shoe" on a servo type (self
> energizing) brake system - which virtually all recent (modern) drum
> brake systems are. the leading shoe contacts the drum, and the drag
> (friction) on that shoe rotates the shoe through the linkage between
> shoes, forcing the trailing shoe more firmly in contact with the drum.
> This enhances the brake action beyond what would be possible strictly
> by the hydraulic force from the wheel cyls.
> >
> >> But mainly I'm not sure what the procedure is for the parking brake cable.
> >> Can you advise?
> >>
> It generally unhooks from the activbation lever connected to the
> brake shoes. On soime cars the lever unhooks easily from the shoe and
> does not NEED to be disconnected from the cable
>
> Again - I would ADVISE you (the OP) to have a mechanic properly
> repair the brakes.

Clare, prepare for the onslaught...

--
Tekkie