DogT
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2009
- Messages
- 7,394
There have been a few threads on improving the front drum brake. What I have gleaned is the stiffening plate does help, don't know how much. There is also a longer lower brake arm that is supposed to improve the pressure on the pads, but I think it was Frank Damp that said the brake shoes twists too much to take advantage of the lever. I think some of the best improvements are to make sure the drum is round, sand or machine on a lathe the pads to match the drum at least 90% and make sure both pads are contacting the drum at the same time. You must also chamfer the edges of the pads, apparently that makes it grab if it is not done. Let me see if I can find the shoe sanding threads, actually there were two as I remember. RGM also sells pads that they say improve the braking over even the Fedoro pads. I have heard good things about the RGM pads on this forum. I'll try to get that information too.
This is all theoretical to me, I have not done any of it yet, but my plan is to get the RGM pads and do the sanding on the pads to get more contact on the drum. Word is that it improves it to compete with the first disk brakes, except for multiple fast hard braking where it fades. I do remember that in actuality, downshifting was better than using either of the brakes, not a good feeling going around the DC 495 beltway at 65 or 70.
here's a couple of brake links
post1656.html?hilit=second%20shoe#p1656
post69681.html?hilit=rgm%20shoes#p69681
Dave
69S
This is all theoretical to me, I have not done any of it yet, but my plan is to get the RGM pads and do the sanding on the pads to get more contact on the drum. Word is that it improves it to compete with the first disk brakes, except for multiple fast hard braking where it fades. I do remember that in actuality, downshifting was better than using either of the brakes, not a good feeling going around the DC 495 beltway at 65 or 70.
here's a couple of brake links
post1656.html?hilit=second%20shoe#p1656
post69681.html?hilit=rgm%20shoes#p69681
Dave
69S