<VV> metallic brake shoe - self adjusters

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/8/2011 1:51:23 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
NeighborDave at roadrunner.com writes:

Lonzo  and Others,
Why remove self adjust mechanism when installing metallic brake  shoes??
Dave Foster
63 Spyder

Dave -


It was recommended to remove the self-adjusters when installing the true,  
metallic shoes. The metallic shoes have an attribute that the standard shoes 
do  not have. When they get hotter, they become more effective (at least 
until some  very high temperature point). It is a given that shoes, when 
"powered" by self  adjusters, will adjust themselves out until there is some, 
small, contact point.  That point of contact will be less effective than the 
vast majority of the shoe.  So when you apply the brakes, most of the shoe 
will be fresh and ready to stop  the car, even if one side, and even if one 
end, has a little less friction,  because of that small drag. With metallics, 
that little contact will make that  point MORE effective. Until they get 
fully warmed up, that small patch of very  effective contact will cause a pull 
in one direction, or another, since it will  never be exactly equal on both 
sides. If adjusted manually - and correctly -  both shoes should hit the 
drums with full force, and at the same time, when the  pedal is pushed. 
Metallics also have the reputation for not much help with  stopping until they get a 
bit warmed up. The installation instructions I have  seen have that 
warning. Back out of your driveway carefully in the morning,  unless you want to 
back up your neighbor's driveway across the street. 
 
For racing, it doesn't matter much, because you will be warming up your  
brakes on the installation or pace lap. After the brakes get nice and warm, 
the  small drag point won't be a problem, and probably not noticeable. 
 
At least, that is the theory!
 
Seth Emerson