LOOK OUT FOR DODGY SHOES
Love the magazine and especially the technical bits which often come in useful. As a postscript to your feature on drum brakes
(PC, February 2017) may I add an alarming experience I had recently? One wheel was not rotating freely so I removed the drum to investigate – and both linings dropped to the ground, entirely de-bonded from their shoes. That set me thinking: the rear brakes on a classic such as my Herald wear very little. My Spitfire experience (three sets in 180k miles) suggests that the ones that failed could be only the second set fitted. Could rear brake shoes be like tyres – needing to be replaced at regular intervals before this type of deterioration manifests? Or was this a one off? I check all the cars’ brakes annually as per your workshop item and didn’t see this coming. I’ve not previously experienced anything like it in 46 years of happy motoring. Robert Hodgson, Tiverton
DH: Most brake linings are bonded to the steel shoe with adhesive. Due to damp conditions, extended storage or leaking brake fluid – and often all three together – rust creeps between the surface of the steel shoe and the adhesive until there’s not much holding the friction lining on. It’s wise to visually inspect the brakes regularly, especially after winter storage. Look at the ends of each friction lining and pry gently with a small screwdriver to see if it’s coming away from the shoe.