Brake Shoes for Argosy

[uniquemicro]

I have (4) 15" 6 lug wheels on my '75 22 foot Argosy. If I wanted to replace the brakes (not the brake plates) which brake shoes would fit (i.e. a '75 ford faiflane brake shoe). Can I even replace the $8/wheel shoes or do I have to replace the $80 plate/wheel.
thanks...

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by uniquemicro

I have (4) 15" 6 lug wheels on my '75 22 foot Argosy. If I wanted to replace the brakes (not the brake plates) which brake shoes would fit (i.e. a '75 ford faiflane brake shoe). Can I even replace the $8/wheel shoes or do I have to replace the $80 plate/wheel.
thanks...

unique,

Even if you could find brake shoes which would fit, doubtful, you will still need to replace the magnets and return springs. Fully loaded, complete backing plates are cheaper than the parts. They can be purchased in the neighborhood of $40 to $50 each. You will need different ones for the right and left side.

Bill

[ticki2]

Last year I looked high and low for brake shoes , the answer was always ,discontinued. They were still listed in some of the books but not available . The price was $25 per wheel for just shoes. The complete brake with backing plate and magnets was $50 per wheel . I think the days of $8 shoes has gone bye. Let us know if you find any .

[Action]

I bought a set of shoes for my '66 about 7 - 8 years ago at NAPA.

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[ticki2]

Originally Posted by Action

I bought a set of shoes for my '66 about 7 - 8 years ago at NAPA.

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

Yep , so did I

[Action]

BTW I had to take the old shoes off and bring them down to make the correct match.

Action

[drag'nwagon]

Brake shoes are gonna cost you $35 to $40 per wheel at most parts stores, not to mention drum brakes are a pain to r&r. You can buy the entire back plate assembled for the same price at http://www.easternmarine.com/
and simply remove the 5 bolts and replace plus the brake wires and you will brand new springs magnet and shoes. It is much easier and your confidence in your brakes will be much higher.

[harker70]

So how do you measure to know which brake kits you need?

Or is there a fit guide somewhere?

I am asking about a 78 argosy 24.

Thanks!

[dwightdi]

Measure the inside diameter of the brake drums. They should be 12 inches. Measure the width of the shoes. They should be 2 inches. That is the two dimensions you need when you order them from Eastern.

[harker70]

Great! Is there only one bolt pattern?

[drag'nwagon]

Yes, there is a standard bolt pattern for the back plates.

[another project]

just ordered all 4 for my 69 and Inland matched the price at eastern.
244 with shipping for 6k #.
Rich

[another project]

ok, follow up!
got them and the install is complete! they work great.
I got the nevr adjust ones.
took about 4 hours total and that includes repacking bearings.

HINTS.......
1)
before turning and of the nuts spray the backside of them with liquid wrench
2) buy yourself a 9/16 wrench with the ratcheting end. find the one with the smallest head on it, it will cut your time down allot.

[wolverine]

Originally Posted by another project

ok, follow up!
got them and the install is complete! they work great.
I got the nevr adjust ones.
took about 4 hours total and that includes repacking bearings.

HINTS.......
1)
before turning and of the nuts spray the backside of them with liquid wrench
2) buy yourself a 9/16 wrench with the ratcheting end. find the one with the smallest head on it, it will cut your time down allot.

Great suggestions for the install. I just got my nevr adjust brake assemblies and experienced the problem you described with removing the bracket bolts.

Another bit of information: I was unclear about making initial manual adjustments to these brakes so I called Dexter Axle to speak to their customer service. They advised to install them as is and they will self adjust within the first 100 miles. They need that time to burnish and to prevent unnecessary wear to the new brake shoes. The self adjustment feature was the main reason I decided to replace the brakes during my annual bearing repack.