gp brake shoes

[al pushpak]

Hi , just wondered if anyone can recommend a decent set of gp brake shoes. after spending the best part of today filing,sanding ,adjusting, hub on , hub off , trying old shoes, partially worn shoes all I get the brake to do is either be really spongy or the other way is the brake is constantly on !! the hub is a brand new sr sil one so I know that's ok i just want some recommendations before I fork out for another set !! many thanks for any info al

[Ivor the engine]

Hi,

What casing do you have?
There are some minor imperfections to the brake shoe pivot studs on Indian casings. I, like you, had a new set of shoes didn't work without lots of filing.
However.... I applied chalk on both the brake surfaces and replaced the hub, new / old, doesn't matter. One of the shoes would show signs of friction / wear from the hub when applied, the other wouldn't. I made a small modification and glued / bonded,(Contact adhesive) a thin (very thin) piece of metal the size of the shoe foot, onto the bottom of one brake shoe foot. Look at the wear (where the chalk worn away) on the shoe surface & fit the tab to the other one that hasn't worn.
This should then give a little more match and equal both shoes to the hub when the brake is pressed.
Worked for me, and no need to trim shoes.

Hope this helps.
Regards,