I'm looking for the brake drum and shoe gauge tool J-21177 to help me adjust the new brake shoes correctly on my '66 Starfire. Can anyone tell me where I can find this tool??? Thank you for any feedback guys.

 

No idea what that part number is exactly, but are you referring to something like this?

http://www.etoolcart.com/brakeshoead...toolgauge.aspx

Handy tool to have if you are going to be doing ALOT of drum brake adjustments. Otherwise I just adjust the shoes out until you start to hear them dragging on the drum lightly.

 

Well, a quick Google search turns up retail availability at
HandsOnTools - $95
CostPlusTools - $90
eToolCart - $96, and
Amazon - $45 (Amazon is a different brand, but the same tool)

The larger question, though, is - Do you really need this?

These drum inside diameter tools are usually used for radiusing the curvature of the brake shoes with a special machine (which comes with the tool), and unless you have the machine, I'm not sure whether the tool would help you.

- Eric

 

Duh, thanks!! I've had a struggle to find parts for the Starfire/425 engine and I assumed it would be quicker to ask other Olds guys than try to find a needle in a haystack. I'm embarrassed; thanks for helping!!!!!!

 

Go ahead and get the tool. No need to pay retail; I bought mine (a K-D BTW) off a tool trailer at a swap meet and paid a grand total of $12 for it.

Use this to measure drum ID, then set the shoes out to that measurement and walla! they're set, and no trial and error and set and reset involved.

 

That rocks; I'm a swap meet kinda guy anyway!