1956 drum shoe correct size

[zuburg]

I recently removed my wheels and drums to inspect my wheel cylinders for possible leaks. While doing this I noticed the front shoes looked identical (not shorter for leading and longer for trailing shoes),

When I assembled my car several years ago, I purchased new shoes for the front and due to my lack of knowledge at the time was not concerned about leading/primary vs trailing/secondary.

I looked up new shoes at several parts stores and Thunderbird specialty parts suppliers to see what are being sold. It appears some shoes sold have different size shoes and others have identical shoes.

What should the proper shoes be? Shorter for the leading shoe and longer for the trailing? Is it OK to have identical shoes for both leading and trailing? Just wondering if I should replace the shoes (less than 1k miles) I have?

I will try to add a picture of shoes from an online source and my current brakes. To me they all look the same (leading and trailing the same size).

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[dustymtn]

Usually, the shorter shoe is leading while the logder shoe is trailing. That's because drum brakes are self energizing...the leading shoe pushes on the trailing shoe while braking, so the trailing shoe sees more force & has longer friction material. Unless you want to change them, I would guess that braking should be adequate as is.

 

[zuburg]

Usually, the shorter shoe is leading while the logder shoe is trailing. That's because drum brakes are self energizing...the leading shoe pushes on the trailing shoe while braking, so the trailing shoe sees more force & has longer friction material. Unless you want to change them, I would guess that braking should be adequate as is.

Yes, I understand that usually there are two sizes of shoes for each wheel and the shorter one is the leading shoe. Based on this, is it common that some kits for front brake shoes do not have the two sizes? Will having shoes that are the same size negatively affect brake performance and safety?

 

[dustymtn]

Yes, I understand that usually there are two sizes of shoes for each wheel and the shorter one is the leading shoe. Based on this, is it common that some kits for front brake shoes do not have the two sizes? Will having shoes that are the same size negatively affect brake performance and safety?

I don't think it will be significant. The trailing show will wear faster, because there will be more pressure on the lining per square inch.

 

[Brax]

I recently removed my wheels and drums to inspect my wheel cylinders for possible leaks. While doing this I noticed the front shoes looked identical (not shorter for leading and longer for trailing shoes),

When I assembled my car several years ago, I purchased new shoes for the front and due to my lack of knowledge at the time was not concerned about leading/primary vs trailing/secondary.

I looked up new shoes at several parts stores and Thunderbird specialty parts suppliers to see what are being sold. It appears some shoes sold have different size shoes and others have identical shoes.

What should the proper shoes be? Shorter for the leading shoe and longer for the trailing? Is it OK to have identical shoes for both leading and trailing? Just wondering if I should replace the shoes (less than 1k miles) I have?

I will try to add a picture of shoes from an online source and my current brakes. To me they all look the same (leading and trailing the same size).

It’s not uncommon on drum brakes to have both shoes the same size I’ve seen this many time's since the 70s, and never have any problems with this, I just did a 2005 ranger rear and the shoes were the same while what came off had a smaller primary. It seems different manufacturer make them different