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MG MGA - mga front brake shoes

Hi, the existing brake shoes on my mga seem to be a cheap reproduction. The curve of the shoes(metal) does not mate perfectly with the curve of the brake drum. This of course results in very poor braking. I am reluctant to buy a new sets as obviously they will again be repros. Can anyone suggest where I can purchase a set of used but original shoes?
f camilleri

Yoy may have to hunt for a shop that still has the proper tools but years ago it was common to "re-arch" the shoes to match the drums.
J Heisenfeldt

My local "foreign auto" repair shop didn't even know what I was talking about when I asked them to re-arc the shoes after they had turned my drums. Got to find a brake shop run by old geezers.

Ken
k v morton

Re arching went out of fashion when the dangers of asbestos were realized. With the advent of front disc on all cars there is no need. Do Not rearch unless you now for a fact that there is no asbestos in the shoe.
The last rearch macine I saw was in the early 70's at it was real old then.
R J Brown

Interesting point about the health hazard. I'm going to convert to MGB discs at some point; maybe sooner rather than later.

Ken
k v morton

The shoes probably are hitting on the ends and preventing a good contact with the drum. I had this initial problem but solved it with some "rearching" with a belt sander. A few trials may be necessary and a little mileage on the car for tests. It worked out for me. 15,000 miles now with great braking and no problems.

Start with just just sanding down spots where the shoes are contacting the drum.
Jim Ferguson

Tks guys for your comments and advice. I think I will try Jim Ferguson's method. It seems to be quite logical to me. No harm in trying I guess. Thanks Jim.
f camilleri

Jim, can you imagine how long it would take for some MGAs to clock up 15,000 miles! The previous owner of my car managed only 300 miles in his 3 years of ownership, but to be fair, it did drive like a dog when I first got it. The owners of some of these low mileage cars will end their days contemplating how nicely their brakes had bedded-in just before they were wheeled off to the nursing home!
Lindsay Sampford

Lindsay, I couldn't agree more. Too many owners say, "I wish I had driven it while I was able to."

I drove to Key West (950mi)and Hot Springs, AK (840mi) plus closer shows and local drives for ~5500mi so far this year. Planned trips to Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, and the North Carolina beaches and mountains this Fall. I will probably do over 7,000 miles this year.

MGA's are made to drive and enjoy not sit in the grass to look at. I didn't spend ten years putting it together to just look at it.

Jim
Jim Ferguson

This thread was discussed between 28/08/2009 and 31/08/2009

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