ok, i just recieved my new brake pads and I soon discovered that one is thicker than the other. The Fusick rep said, he thought the rear pad is the thicker of the two. Any suggestion. Also the pins that hold the pads in place are two different sizes, which goes where? I also noticed that on the parking brake strut lever there is a spring, what does it do. And if anyone has a extra parking brake strut lever for a 1956 88 please let me know. Thanks Michael

 

The thicker pad should go to the rear if the brakes are self energizing.

 

Thanks much for the info, Michael

 

Unless your '56 has disk brakes, the steel is called a "shoe" and the the friction media is called "lining".

In the beginning, the lining was replaced and the shoes were reused.

It should be longer, not thicker, as shown in the following images:




The shoes are identical, but the lining on the primary is shorter (less friction area) and always goes on the front.


Your replacement pins should all be the same length. Is the backing plate different at their mounting points?

If one shaft(?) diameter is larger, it will go to the rear.

When the car was built, it was an "emergency brake". As far as I'm concerned, that's what it is.

It's called an "anti rattle spring". When the E brake is not in use, there is slack between the lever and the front shoe. The spring takes up that slack.

'52-'64 Olds/Pontiac should all be the same. I may have one, but don't hold your breath.

Now, I have a question:

Self energizing?

Norm

 

88 coupe, thanks so much for the pads vs shoes explanation. This is the oldest car I've ever owned and its very cool to learn about the shoes and how they were re shoed at one time. Looking at the pics of the 49 and 56 Olds brake assembly, the spring on the parking brake stut is at two different ends. Does it really matter, or does the spring just keep the shoes taut and apart? Have a great day, Michael

 

Thanks for the feedback.

The '56 image, is the left side, '49 image, is the right. The spring always goes opposite of the E-brake lever.

Norm

 

Norm,
Thanks again for the info, its those little things, like which side the anti rattle spring goes on, which I find so interesting and I had not a clue of how or why. I really appreciate your input. BTW where are you located in So. Cal.?
Michael

 

Greater Los Angeles.

For several years, the So-Cal Olds Club held their annual "Memorial" meets, in Yorba Regional Park.

Norm

 

With no anchor at the bottom, the tendency of the front shoe to rotate around the pivot point when it contacts the drum causes more pressure to be exerted on the rear shoe than is actually applied by the hydraulic cylinder.
Of course, this is when braking is applied when travelling forward. Commonly referred to as "self energizing."

Danny

 

Good post. Thanks

Norm