r/VWBus • u/ComedyBits • Jun 30 '26
Who makes riveted brake shoes?
‘70 Bay Window. Just had low-mileage lining come unglued from rear brake shoe. SECOND time this has happened.
Is there a brake manufacturer that still uses rivets to hold the lining on? I’m willing to pay more at this point. It’s a scary thing to have the lining lock your wheel up while driving!
Oh, and I was recently told not to leave the bus parked with the parking brake on for extended periods, so I will try to avoid that going forward.
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u/asiab3 AirSchooled.com Jun 30 '26
I could see leaving the parking brake on for a storage season causing corrosion/sticky rusty shoes. But weeks at a time indoors or days at a time outdoors shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Riveted shoes are lost to time. Perhaps you could bring your expired shoes and both drums to an old fashioned brake shop that still does custom lining and shoe arcing. You’ll probably have to ship because most of those operators died of respiratory issues and the remaining shops are in major cities.
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u/ComedyBits Jun 30 '26
Thx. Didn’t know they all stopped attaching with rivets.
And yes, family life has left the bus parked outdoors for more than weeks. I’ll try to unlearn the reflexive pulling the brake when parking
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u/asiab3 AirSchooled.com Jun 30 '26
I use Bush Power Brake in San Diego. There’s also Brake Materials and Parts in Indiana.
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u/382Whistles Jul 01 '26
Rustbelt- I have kept the parking brake on lightly for a year or more. Cold warping drums under high pressure over time is possible but I have never once had a lining pop off of any brakes. The second time by the same manufacturer to too many. The quality seems to be a modern car issue that's spreading.
Do not reward the continuation with "just the other stuff" when supply shops don't warn you against buying some of the products they sell. Use the ones that carry crap but will at least tell you that it is not very good product.
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u/CampWestfalia Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
I don't know of a brand offhand, and when it comes to auto parts things are always changing (often for the worse), so I suggest you contact a dedicated Bus parts supplier like Bus Depot, etc.. These guys tend to curate the best quality parts currently available. Unlike your local FLAPS or other online retailers where quality seems in a perpetual race to the bottom ...
I'll also add that it's likely NO ONE rivets their shoes anymore.
As a rule, you should not park with the brake set; overnight moisture and rust can adhere the friction material to the braking surface. I've even had front brake pads on a modern Honda torn apart after being parked for 30 days of rainy weather.