Brake shoes: does size matter?
Idiot here, asking stupid question.
I've just fixed a sticky handbrake on my old mini (1976, 850).
Feeling very smug at finding leaky wheel cylinder (OS) and soiled worn shoes.
Cleaned everything really well put new shoes in and replaced cylinder, bled, adjusted as per Haynes.
Road test: rather good though I say so myself. Stops well in a straight line.
Wrote down serial number on the brake shoes I'd just used to replace oily ones, with a view to keeping records for anyone who takes it on in future.
That's when the worry started. Checking on Minispares, found that the shoes I'd just bunged on the rear wheel are actually for the front wheel (GBS102MS)! The difference appears to be front are 1.5" wide, rear are 1.25" width. Both front and rear wheels are the same drum (10").
There was no problem fitting the shoes in place and fitting the drum back and worth repeating everything works FINE. good stopping, straight line, no binding.
So, it begs the question: DOES SIZE MATTER?
I assume there's a good reason why rear shoes are 1.25" whilst fronts are 1.5", and I will change them for the approved rear shoes (GBS101MS) when I get time, but do I REALLY need to??
I'm a bit loathed to drive it at present, even though a brake function road test seemed absolutely fine, just in case there are safety issues related to shoe width.
Anyone got any pearls of wisdom?
TIA
Goat
ps: It's a single circuit, drum brakes front and rear, single cylinders each with 2 pistons on rear wheels.
Posted: Feb 26, 2023 08:14 PM