Thread: De-greasing old brake shoes??

I was told by a mechanic that you 'can't remove the oil' but then an old school dude told me something about setting them on fire or something... I don't remember.

I have replaced my 11x3" brake shoes with off the shelf stuff, they stopped ok.

I'm not saying that I recommend this but when I was an apprentice we used to soak them in petrol and set fire to them.
I was young and gullible and just did as I was told. Seemed to work though!

Try this at your own risk.

Am I correct that they work ok for a while; until they get good and hot and the oil works it's way back to the surface????

I really can't remember. It was the mid 80s. It was a VERY common 'fix' in the used car workshop.
If what you've heard is true I don't suppose the used car manager cared as long as it lasted the 3 months statutory warranty.

I can't believe you guys haven't heard of Brakekleen - made by crc i recall. It will make the linings like new.

As for new linings not being as good, let me guess, the guy who told you that was over 65?
If anything new linings are better. Just buy good quality.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I can't believe you guys haven't heard of Brakekleen - made by crc i recall. It will make the linings like new.

As for new linings not being as good, let me guess, the guy who told you that was over 65?
If anything new linings are better. Just buy good quality.

CRC Brākleen, great stuff, but only when it's got the macron to sound like the French Swedish doctor on South Park

Also good for blowing up dustbins

Generally, bbrake shoes come in two basic compounds.


Hard which lasts forever but eats up your drums, doesn't fafadas badly as the soft but doesn't pull up as well and suffers badly if the drums are wet.
Soft, which dint last anywhere near as long, make llots of dust but pull up firmly and disintegrate at the slightest hint of oil or foreign matter goin round inside the drum.

What you fit depends on what you value most and in my book so 've I drive the box not the brakes the softer compound is the go.

Oh the softer compound shoes are a little pricier than the more cheaply produced hard ones.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

Generally, bbrake shoes come in two basic compounds.


Hard which lasts forever but eats up your drums, doesn't fafadas badly as the soft but doesn't pull up as well and suffers badly if the drums are wet.
Soft, which dint last anywhere near as long, make llots of dust but pull up firmly and disintegrate at the slightest hint of oil or foreign matter goin round inside the drum.

What you fit depends on what you value most and in my book so 've I drive the box not the brakes the softer compound is the go.

Oh the softer compound shoes are a little pricier than the more cheaply produced hard ones.

So when the choice is Bearmach or re-lined... what would you choice be? Or is it more appropriate to say, are the Bearmach ones hard or soft?


Personally Id rather soft shoes that work - engine braking is normally plenty for me...

Thx
Jon