Brake Shoe Relining

[sandreassi]

Anyone know of a business in/around Pittsburgh, PA that relines brake shoes on classic cars? I need to reuse the brake shoes on my 1954 Pontiac Star Chief. I tried new shoes for it, but they're not fitting correctly. I think somewhere in it's 64 years on earth someone must have made some changes to the front end. Now, I don;t know what shoes will fit it, so I'm going to get the old ones relined. I found a company in New Jersey that does it, but wanted to see if there's anyone in Western, PA. Google hasn't helped me, so I'm trying here. Thanks!

[cooperino]

Bake lining shops are pretty much a thing of the past. However, If you can find a decent clutch re-builder near you they usually will have the materials and know how to relines brake shoes as well.

[ol'George]

Try posting a question on the hokey ass message board.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/
Good boys there.

[jaynjeep]

Originally Posted by sandreassi

Anyone know of a business in/around Pittsburgh, PA that relines brake shoes on classic cars? I need to reuse the brake shoes on my 1954 Pontiac Star Chief. I tried new shoes for it, but they're not fitting correctly. I think somewhere in it's 64 years on earth someone must have made some changes to the front end. Now, I don;t know what shoes will fit it, so I'm going to get the old ones relined. I found a company in New Jersey that does it, but wanted to see if there's anyone in Western, PA. Google hasn't helped me, so I'm trying here. Thanks!

These guys can do just about anything.. they are also fast and reasonable.. they aren't real close to you but I send them work from GA all the time.. usually use UPS or USPS.. one of their specialties is re lining brake shoes.. Then and Now Automotive in Weymouth, MA.. give them a try.. they are awesome! http://www.then-now-auto.com/

Also have a shop about 50 miles away from me that relined a set of shoes for my 64 Ford F600 that I couldn't find anywhere.. Savannah Clutch and Brake in Sav GA but that would be a long way to send them.. I'd send them to Then and Now in MA

[Dirty Steve]

NAPA Auto usually can help.

[john hall]

Call your local automotive machine shops

[J-Mech]

If it was my car, I'd figure out why the replacement shoes don't work and address the issue.

Perhaps it has incorrect parts on the car.
Perhaps the shoes were boxed wrong.
Perhaps the shoes were remanufactured wrong. In which case, try a different brand.
Perhaps you installed them incorrectly, or:
The last person to do the brakes installed them incorrectly and you put the new ones on "just like the old ones were". (I've seen that many times.)

Has to be a reason they didn't fit.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

If it was my car, I'd figure out why the replacement shoes don't work and address the issue.

Perhaps it has incorrect parts on the car.
Perhaps the shoes were boxed wrong.
Perhaps the shoes were remanufactured wrong. In which case, try a different brand.
Perhaps you installed them incorrectly, or:
The last person to do the brakes installed them incorrectly and you put the new ones on "just like the old ones were". (I've seen that many times.)

Has to be a reason they didn't fit.

Aw C'mon youngster, reline the darn things! Its fun!!! Can't always take stuff out of the box and bolt it on!

True story. Dad had a wealthier guy that collected early cars come in the store one day and ask to see whatever brake or clutch linings they had in stock. Dad grabbed what he could find, guy measured them up and picked out a size/set. Told dad he had a bandsaw and drill press, he'd make them work. Somewhere there is a really old Buick running around with a set of IH linings in it.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by john hall

Aw C'mon youngster, reline the darn things! Its fun!!! Can't always take stuff out of the box and bolt it on!

True story. Dad had a wealthier guy that collected early cars come in the store one day and ask to see whatever brake or clutch linings they had in stock. Dad grabbed what he could find, guy measured them up and picked out a size/set. Told dad he had a bandsaw and drill press, he'd make them work. Somewhere there is a really old Buick running around with a set of IH linings in it.

Nothing hard to believe about that. There were way fewer brake shoe part numbers back then. If you knew the drum Diameter and width you could get shoes to fit pretty easily. Lining materiel comes in sizes to match standard size shoes. It's not hard to rivet the materiel on the shoe .Having restored many many classic cars myself, I understand what the OP is going through now. Finding parts that fit correctly can be a challenge now a days. It's not like some company is still producing 10,000 sets of star chief brake shoes at a time any more. Now you have after markets making shoes and drill hole specs and such can be wrong etc. I've had it happen many times. Get another set and same crap. I doubt there's no more than 1 or possible 2 companies making new shoes for that car. If your lucky there is a second company you can try. Likely the PO has searched for others before ending up here.

[J-Mech]

Yeah, I've run into that kind of thing too. Always figured it out. Even if it came down to relining the shoes, I had two companies at my disposal who did it.