I had to rebuild my rear end -- well, not mine, the one on my 1914 touring -- and figured while I'm at it I'd replace the brake shoes with the padded cast iron shoes. My question is: do you guys leave them as one piece or do you cut them at the bolt hole where it attaches to the backing plate? Thanks.
Leave in one piece. My take is there was a groove cast in the shoe at the bolt hole so that if they did break it would be a long that line. Someone in the past started splitting the shoe so they did not have to take out the mounting bolt. The second spring is there in case the shoe does snap apart. I have not seen anything in the service book about splitting the shoe. I have done it both ways, works fine.
There have been previous discussions on the subject, comments at that time were split (pun intended) about whether to split them or leave them be. When I replaced mine last year, I took my Dremel tool and cut a slice about halfway through the cast iron at the bolt hole so that if they do split later from use, they do so cleanly at the location of my choosing.
Just my way of compromising based on all the comments available at the time.
Of those who left them uncut, did you ever have one break where not intended?
I left mine as one piece and they haven't cracked or split or anything. I drive my speedster a pretty good bit.
Any response to Jerry Van's question?
Marty, I have seen a number of original left in one piece shoes broken in odd places other than at the pivot bolt. I always cut mine in two halves to avoid this.
Others will differ.
Allan from down under.
I cut mine. It just seems to make more sense. For what it is worth, Dave at Chaffin's told me that some early Ford service manual said to cut them.
When you put things back together, rotate the wheel and listen for scraping noises. I had to bend, cut & grind to keep things from hitting one another inside the drum. The new brakes are noted for not fitting in there very well.
Jon
I "scored" mine so they would break at the score if they were going to brake at all.
Thanks, everyone! I didn't cut or score mine. It sounds like I'll have to take the rear wheels off and do that.