Which brake shoe goes toward front

[r***@yah00.com]

Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

[None]

Post by r***@yah00.com
Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

The shorter length shoe should be installed pointing toward
the front of the car on both sides.

[r***@yah00.com]

Post by None

Post by r***@yah00.com
Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

The shorter length shoe should be installed pointing toward
the front of the car on both sides.

Thanks for the help.

[None]

Post by r***@yah00.com

Post by None

Post by r***@yah00.com
Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

The shorter length shoe should be installed pointing toward
the front of the car on both sides.

Thanks for the help.

You're most welcome.

As anyone even semi-experienced would be well aware, a
Bendix brake shoe set, as in your application, with unequal
length friction material, is usually of the duo servo variety,
with the front facing being the primary shoe, such as well
depicted in this right rear -
Loading Image...

or this left rear brake.
Loading Image...

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by None
As anyone even semi-experienced would be well aware, a
Bendix brake shoe set, as in your application, with unequal
length friction material, is usually of the duo servo variety,
with the front facing being the primary shoe, such as well
depicted in this right rear -
http://www.agcoauto.com/content/images/brakes/drum/brake_duo_servo.jpg
or this left rear brake.
http://www.aplsweb.com/Topics/Rear-Brake-Assembly.jpg

The internet is a wonderful tool for such things. Keep in mind
though, digital cameras or phones cameras can save a lot of grief by
taking a photo of brakes, belts, and anything else that has a sequence
to be followed.

Many years ago I replaced a water pump on a '71 Ford V-8 with power
steering and AC. Three belts came off and I thought I knew how they
went back. I cruised the used car lots until I found one, popped the
hood and made a diagram like I should have when I started.

[None]

Post by Ed Pawlowski

Post by None
As anyone even semi-experienced would be well aware, a
Bendix brake shoe set, as in your application, with unequal
length friction material, is usually of the duo servo variety,
with the front facing being the primary shoe, such as well
depicted in this right rear -
http://www.agcoauto.com/content/images/brakes/drum/brake_duo_servo.jpg
or this left rear brake.
http://www.aplsweb.com/Topics/Rear-Brake-Assembly.jpg

The internet is a wonderful tool for such things. Keep in mind
though, digital cameras or phones cameras can save a lot of grief by
taking a photo of brakes, belts, and anything else that has a sequence
to be followed.

If you'll recall, his issue though was a descrepancy in the
location of the smaller shoe on each side, taking pix of how
they were originally installed wouldn't have led to a resolution.

Post by Ed Pawlowski
Many years ago I replaced a water pump on a '71 Ford V-8 with power
steering and AC. Three belts came off and I thought I knew how they
went back. I cruised the used car lots until I found one, popped the
hood and made a diagram like I should have when I started.

[Vic Smith]

Post by r***@yah00.com
Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

Get a diagram of the shoe assembly setup. Should be able to find one
easy enough. There's no substitute for that unless you took apart the
original yourself and remembered everything, Easy to screw up.
Meineke screwed mine up on my '88 Celebrity, leaving out the parking
brake levers on both sides. Probably just couldn't figure out to get
them back in. I was busy with work, they were fixing my exhaust, so I
fell for a special they were having on brakes.
My front pads were wearing too fast, and when I put a second set of
pad sets on I pulled the drums and found the shoes weren't worn at
all.
Went to a boneyard for the levers - 50 cents each. GM wanted about
100 bucks a side because they sold them only with an assembly.
Only reason I quickly figured it out was because I got a diagram.
So don't waste your time.

[r***@yah00.com]

On Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:50:22 -0500, Vic Smith

Post by Vic Smith

Post by r***@yah00.com
Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

Get a diagram of the shoe assembly setup. Should be able to find one
easy enough. There's no substitute for that unless you took apart the
original yourself and remembered everything, Easy to screw up.
Meineke screwed mine up on my '88 Celebrity, leaving out the parking
brake levers on both sides. Probably just couldn't figure out to get
them back in. I was busy with work, they were fixing my exhaust, so I
fell for a special they were having on brakes.
My front pads were wearing too fast, and when I put a second set of
pad sets on I pulled the drums and found the shoes weren't worn at
all.
Went to a boneyard for the levers - 50 cents each. GM wanted about
100 bucks a side because they sold them only with an assembly.
Only reason I quickly figured it out was because I got a diagram.
So don't waste your time.

I googled at least 6 different word groups, I found no diagrams at all.
When my old Ford truck needed brake work, I found a hundred or more
diagrams. But Ford is different.

[Vic Smith]

Post by r***@yah00.com
I googled at least 6 different word groups, I found no diagrams at all.
When my old Ford truck needed brake work, I found a hundred or more
diagrams. But Ford is different.

Yeah, I didn't find it either, until I saw somebody mention that
autozone.com has repair guides.
So I registered there and found the diagram for the '89 Caprice.
Good blowup of all the parts for the type where the parking brake
lever
mounts to the primary shoe and another diagram for the type that
mounts to the secondary shoe. Lots of photos too.
Stay on the left side of page under repair guides, then drill down to
"brake shoes." It's not the most intuitive site.
Up to you if you want to register. No cost.
Pretty neat service I didn't know existed until now.
I always get the shop manual for my cars, but this can come in handy.
There's plenty of shop manuals for your Caprice on eBay.
I'm cross-posting to rec.autos.tech so they know about it.

[Brent]

Post by r***@yah00.com
Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

It should be the same for all drum brakes due to the self-energizing way
drum brakes work, and that puts the larger shoe towards the rear of the
car.

[None]

Post by Brent

Post by r***@yah00.com
Putting new brake shoes on a 89 Caprice. The old ones were not
installed properly, (one side of the car the smaller shoe is toward the
front of the car, the other side is opposite). Which shoe (smaller or
larger one) is supposed to go toward the front of the car?

It should be the same for all drum brakes due to the self-energizing way
drum brakes work, and that puts the larger shoe towards the rear of the
car.

I continue to be endlessly amused by (always the same)
poseurs who respond by tantamount to parroting others
remarks (in an unattributed fashion), in the same thread,
as though they contribute (or could) an original idea.
https://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.gm/msg/e80d2321216d3afc?hl=en

--
"Some people are like slinkies - not really much good for
anything but they bring a smile to your face when you push
them down the stairs" - Original Author Unknown