Handbrake Shoes

[Benjymac]

The brake shoes for my handbrake are worn down to the metal on 2 of the 4 shoes. I enquired about a new set but they cost ~£100 for a full set.

Instead I looked for somewhere that could reline the shoes and found a company called Fleet Factor.

http://www.fleetfactors.co.uk/

I have been quoted £5 a shoe from them so in total it would save me ~£80. In my case two of the shoes still had 3mm of lining left on so I decided to only reline the two shoes that were down to the metal with 3mm lining (the smallest thickness Fleet Factors will do) therefore saving~ £90.

Anyway Fleet Factors have a number of outlets in the North so if you need brake shoes for the handbrake I suggest giving them a try.

I haven't picked them up yet so if there are any issues I will re-post and let you know.

Regards

Benjy

[francophile1947]

Interesting!! - why would the shoes be worn - they only work when stationary

[Benjymac]

I am guessing either someone before me has been driving around with the handbrake slightly on or they weren't set up properly. Can't really think of any other reason. My guess is that the material on a handbrake shoe could be of a softer quality or less heat resistant because as you say it only has to stop a stationary vehicle from moving.

[cheffy34]

Interesting!! - why would the shoes be worn - they only work when stationary

I'm always leaving mine on and realising within a few mtrs

[lizard]

Ah ah, boy racers doing hand brake turns

[mikeonb4c]

One thing to watch. I have an alarm bell ringing that relining them came up before and there was an issue because the linings are thinner than a normal drum and relining companies couldn't handle that. Could be complete tosh but check with the relining company. Otherwise, if they can do it at a good price, I think you just came up with a contender for top tip of the month 'cos the price for replacements is just silly!

Keep us posted and good luck

[Benjymac]

Hi Mike,

I did read that on the other thread and that's why I decided to get two relined at 3mm thickness as two of the four still had 3mm of liner on it so there hopefully won't be a problem when refitted. Should be done by the end of the week so will post when refitted.

Cheers

Benjy

[mikeonb4c]

Goodo. Sounds like you've covered all the angles. We'll wait to hear

[bigdaddycain]

Hmm, interesting.... I really should check mine, they haven't been touched for at least four or five years that i know of, many a time do i glance down to see the handbrake half on.... Or is that half off?

[Benjymac]

Half on if your a pessimist and half off if your an optimist

[bigdaddycain]

I look at my fuel gauge as half empty benjy...so i guess its half on then mate!

[Benjymac]

Well I picked my brake shoes (handbrake) from Fleet Factors this evening. True to his word the cost was £5 per shoe including VAT.

So there you have it £100 for a new set or £20 to get them all relined. As previously stated and having chatted to my mechanic it seems that one shoe on each side is classed as the primary and the other as the secondary. It was my two primaries that had worn (one from each side) so I only needed to reline two shoes at a cost of £10.

Note I relined them at 3mm which was the same thickness as the secondary shoes and it is the minimum thickness they do.

[mikeonb4c]

Excellent piece of work there Benjymac - lets get these guys on the Suppliers List in the Members Area lest nobody finds them again on this thread!!

[Benjymac]

Hi Mike,

Being lazy, where is the Suppliers List?

Cheers

Benjy

[mikeonb4c]

Hi Mike,

Being lazy, where is the Suppliers List?

Cheers

Benjy

Its in the Members Area (presume you've joined - worth it if not for all the benefit we get from BF). I'd send a PM to Ian de Bongomeister with the necessary details and he'll delegate someone to update the suppliers list.