NOS Brake Shoes mismatch color.. does it matter?

[GG-1]

Hello All,

Another riddle.

As you can see, each wheel-set lining is mismatched in both color and material. Will the difference in color/material on the same drum create an issue in performance? Or will they wear in fine?
They came sealed/stapled in the Chrysler factory box, and the metal is stamped with the same pentastar on them all.

*note: one of the tan shoes looks much lighter than the other but that is just the lighting effect.

Thanks All!

 

[Davea Lux]

The color of the brake linings will sometimes vary from batch to batch, that is probably not a concern. Look on the side of the linings, there is usually a code stamped or printed there. You will want to be running primary and secondary linings from the same batch code (Primaries=same code for both shoes, Secondaries same code for both shoes) I would be more worried about the significant amount of rust on the bonding surface, shoes look like they got wet at some point. It is normal for the primary and secondary shoes to be a different color as they are made of different rated friction materials. As long as rust has not caused the lining to be loose on the shoe, it is probably ok to use them. If you paid big bucks for OEM shoes, they would be considered substandard because of the rust and you might consider returning them for a better pair.

Dave

 

[GG-1]

The color of the brake linings will sometimes vary from batch to batch, that is probably not a concern. Look on the side of the linings, there is usually a code stamped or printed there. You will want to be running primary and secondary linings from the same batch code (Primaries=same code for both shoes, Secondaries same code for both shoes) I would be more worried about the significant amount of rust on the bonding surface, shoes look like they got wet at some point. It is normal for the primary and secondary shoes to be a different color as they are made of different rated friction materials. As long as rust has not caused the lining to be loose on the shoe, it is probably ok to use them. If you paid big bucks for OEM shoes, they would be considered substandard because of the rust and you might consider returning them for a better pair.

Dave

Thanks Dave, good info.
They were not big bucks, about 38.00 + shipping for the axle(4 pcs). The linings are not loose when I grab them and push on them by hand.. but now I'm concerned about when they are installed and under full operational load.

 

[CanCritter]

ld be concerned theyd wear differently and grab differently pulling one way or other....ld return them for another set personaly

 

[GG-1]

The color of the brake linings will sometimes vary from batch to batch, that is probably not a concern. Look on the side of the linings, there is usually a code stamped or printed there. You will want to be running primary and secondary linings from the same batch code (Primaries=same code for both shoes, Secondaries same code for both shoes) I would be more worried about the significant amount of rust on the bonding surface, shoes look like they got wet at some point. It is normal for the primary and secondary shoes to be a different color as they are made of different rated friction materials. As long as rust has not caused the lining to be loose on the shoe, it is probably ok to use them. If you paid big bucks for OEM shoes, they would be considered substandard because of the rust and you might consider returning them for a better pair.

Dave

Yes, the codes do match up on the secondaries and on the primaries. Lining bond seems pretty strong.

 

[Rusty Muffler]

My Dad had a braking problem on his 70 Dart. He found out that when the shoes were made of asbestos they braked BETTER. Could some of those OEM be asbestos?

 

[GG-1]

They are Chrysler products which came still sealed and stapled in Chrysler boxes from the factory. They are asbestos linings. The seller had 50 sets of these, and now has 18 left. I called and expressed my concern about the color difference, so he opened more sealed boxes, only to find the same color combo with other shoes. This is what he claims.
He is willing to refund me if I don't feel good about it. When I asked him about other buyers who bought this grey/tan shoe scheme, he said no one had ever complained about a problem.. said he doesn't screw around when it come to selling braking components. IDK. I have them installed now, and won't be able to run them until next week when I finish bleeding the lines and replacing front hub races and bearings.

I'd like to think that what Dave Lux said above is sound, regarding color difference between primaries and secondaries not being a big deal.

 

[cantflip]

They are Chrysler products which came still sealed and stapled in Chrysler boxes from the factory. They are asbestos linings. The seller had 50 sets of these, and now has 18 left. I called and expressed my concern about the color difference, so he opened more sealed boxes, only to find the same color combo with other shoes. This is what he claims.
He is willing to refund me if I don't feel good about it. When I asked him about other buyers who bought this grey/tan shoe scheme, he said no one had ever complained about a problem.. said he doesn't screw around when it come to selling braking components. IDK. I have them installed now, and won't be able to run them until next week when I finish bleeding the lines and replacing front hub races and bearings.

I'd like to think that what Dave Lux said above is sound, regarding color difference between primaries and secondaries not being a big deal.

@Davea Lux told you everything you needed to know. The importance of the shoes coming from the same batch is that different batches will have a different coefficient of friction, but still be within specs. The primary shoe, goes toward the front (short shoe) and the secondary goes toward the rear (longer shoe)... so the system is matched left/right and will brake evenly throughout the range of temperatures it endures.

The rust issue is a valid concern, and the only one I'd have had. Rust expansion will break free brake linings and often causes the entire friction lining to separate from the metal backing... probably not going to happen, but on a new set of shoes, not something I would want to accept.

Differences between primary/secondary shoes can be color, size, bonding technique (rivets/bonded)... all completely normal.

@GG-1 if your car is 4 wheel drums, lots of factors can cause brake pulling... which may change as brake temperatures change. A basic guideline is to always do the same servicing to both sides of an axle. That includes having matching drums of matching thickness and carefully adjusting them evenly.

Old brake hoses can cause problems as can frozen wheel cylinders... most folks replace those by the axle, based on the theory that one side is as old as the other... however, as long as they are the same size... hydraulic components don't HAVE to be replaced as a pair. Many poorly educated mechanics don't understand the difference between matching the friction surfaces and matching the hydraulics... it typically works out for the customer, based on the equal age idea.

Finally, @GG-1 , keep up the good work. As I recall, this old girl has been giving you quite the education in obsolete automotive technology... . I am really happy to see you getting in there and doing your own work... I'm still hoping to see you at Carlisle someday.