Brake shoe grooves

["Peter Engel" <peter.engel@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave,

I believe that the grooves are there to allow airflow for drum cooling.
During braking pressure is greatest along the center of the friction
material since that strip is directly over the metal "spine" of the
shoe.  An overheated drum will "heat spot" in a circle corresponding to
that contact area.

Some shoe manufacturers seem to use the groove and some don't.  IIRC
only one shoe at each wheel (the primary?) is grooved.  And yes, you can
use non-grooved shoes at all positions.

Pete in PA

From: "Dave & Tracy" <dave-tracy.sherratt@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: IML: 59 Imperial brake shoes
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 09:13:24 -0000

Hi can any one tell me why some brake shoes have a wide  groove running
= down the middle of the lining ? & can they be used with a standard
plain = shoe ? ( just got a couple of sets! ) Thanks Dave=20 60 Le Baron
England.