<VV> Brake shoes

[Diane Galli]

OK,  I have a question on the "servo action" of the short shoe.
     In all my corvair vehicles, the brakes are not nearly as effective when
stopping in the reverse direction, and especially noticeable when the parking
brake is applied to keep the car from rolling backwards. I have always
"assumed" this was a result of the lack of "servo" action caused by the long
shoe.
       I also have been known to shorten the front shoe on linings I have
gotten that were of equal length to improve the braking effort. Has this been
my imagination that this works?
        I have also never "assumed" that all aftermarket replacement parts
were produced to be the epitome of engineering and quality design.
          Bob