Brake Shoes????

[nevada70chev]

need to replace the shoes on my 70 lwb 1/2 ton. its just a daily driver, i do some light hauling. i've heard about Praise Dyno Brakes, are they as good as they say? about 35% increase over regular is the claim i beleive. they are $270.00 for the shoes and springs shipped to my door. has anyone installed them? do you like them? did you notice an improvement in stopping? how are they wearing? did you get new drums when you installed the shoes or just turn the old drums? are there any other recommendations for shoes? thanks....

[sbc350gearhead]

I have a set on the rear of my camaro. They do seem to work better, though I don't know about 35% better. I replaced everything on the rear when I installed them. And I also didn't pay 270 bucks for them either..........They aren't that much better to justify that kind of price.

[cdowns]

$270??? for a set of brake shoes ??? go to carquest ,auto zone or pep boys and use the money that's left over and throw a party

[68 Suburban]

I have them, 30,000 miles all ready and I would say that there is still 75% meat on them. I will never use anything else . The burb stops great. I don't have that brake fade worry. I even locked the burb up towing a 4500 lbs travel trailer when I did not have the trailers brakes hooked up! Believe me, they are worth it.

The $270 is nothing when it comes to peace of mind.

[68 Suburban]

This is a picture of my front shoe at about 18K miles? You can see how much meat is still left.

[jewels.]

sbc350gearhead, or 68 Suburban:

How do you feel about those brakes versus a trade-up to discs? I have been thinking about making the swap from drum to disc for safety reasons, but perhaps those pads are just as good. Any opinion?

jewels.

[68 Suburban]

Originally posted by jewels.
sbc350gearhead, or 68 Suburban:

How do you feel about those brakes versus a trade-up to discs? I have been thinking about making the swap from drum to disc for safety reasons, but perhaps those pads are just as good. Any opinion?

jewels.

Your going to get a bunch of people that are going to say that drums suck period, without ever experience the upgrades. Since I have experienced both, I will say that drums with the kevlars are as every bit as good as a well maitained disc set up. They also sell Kevlar's for disc and that would really be a sweet setup.

Remember any brake system is only as good as it is maintained. There are a lot of brake systems out there that have been neglected for 30 years. I think the first thing to do is get all the old brake fluid out of the system.

[jewels.]

Originally posted by 68 Suburban
....I think the first thing to do is get all the old brake fluid out of the system.

on that note, how often should brake fluid be replaced? i anticipate doing mine in august, because it has been a while, but perhaps i should do it sooner?

thanks in advance!
jewels.

[sbc350gearhead]

First off, I need something clarified.....are talking front or rear drums. If we are talking front drums, then I would upgrade to discs. Discs are simply a superior design. If we are talking rears, then that is different. 9 times out of 10, you are better off taking the money you would spend on a rear disc setup and investing in larger performance front discs (if you can fit larger rotors under your wheels). 60-70% of your stopping ability comes from your front brakes.

[Longhorn Man]

68 suburban is not the only one I have spoken to with these shoes, and esp for a 4 wheel drum set up, they are totally awsome.
That price while rather high, will do all 4 drums.
As for flushing brake fluid, every 2 or 3 years is fine, but you could benifit from doing it every year. The stuff absorbs water right out of the air and you'll end up with pure water in the lowest sections of the brake hyd system. Not only will that rust your tubes and cylinders from the inside out, but it can freeze in the winter causing a blockage (and therefore preventing everything down stream of that blockage from working) and int eh hotter months, the water can boil in the lines causing excessive brake fade.
Follow this link if you want to be over-educated on brake fluids.
http://www.shotimes.com/SHO3brakefluid.html

[sbc350gearhead]

270 for all four corners would probably be a worthwhile investment if you are going to keep the drums. I guess we all have different opinions concerning the disc vs. drum debate.

[Longhorn Man]

While I do agree that discs are better, it effort involved and the $$ involved to swap the front suspention out, and either get way over priced 6 lug rotors, or chainge the rear over to 5 lug and then get new wheels and all the BS involved... I'd give up the very little performance of normal discs, and get the carbon fiber drums that will last 100,000 miles.
I plan (hope) to be able to do this on the one ton one day.

[sbc350gearhead]

I had no idea that so much crap was involved in a brake swap, but then again, I have never owned a vehicle with front drums. Yep, I would probably say "screw it" as well.

[68 Suburban]

With the Kevlar Drum set up, I have never had any brake fade, and when I have needed to lock them up, they have locked up.
Even with the 4500 lbs travel trailer with out the brakes hooked up. I think the skid marks are still on Indian School and 19th avenue...lol

Obviously there are better material for shoes and pads out there than there was 35 years ago. Maintenance and these new materials will make a big difference.

[68 Suburban]

By the way, if you keep checking their web site, they do run specials from time to time. I think I got mine for $190 a couple of years ago.

[Longhorn Man]

68, can you post the link...I can't find mine i my mess of links.
I really need to organize this pos puter.

[68 Suburban]

http://www.praisedynobrake.com/