Jocko Posted Tuesday at 03:13 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 03:13 PM It says I have 16.25x3x1/2 inch brake shoes for an FA505 front axle with spoke wheels I was wondering what everyone else was doing for brakes maybe I’m missing something cause it seems like these shoes are obsolete Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted Tuesday at 03:31 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 03:31 PM As long as the shoes themselves are not damaged, having new linings installed on the old shoes is likely the best solution. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-595894 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted Tuesday at 03:44 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 03:44 PM Start by assessing the drums, if they are serviceable and you can get the casting number off them, it will help looking for parts. If the drums are trash, and an odd size, then it is going to be a struggle to find what will bolt in place and work. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-595895 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocko Posted Tuesday at 03:50 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 03:50 PM 18 minutes ago, Geoff Weeks said: As long as the shoes themselves are not damaged, having new linings installed on the old shoes is likely the best solution. The shoes I have look decent now but I just wanted to be ready for when I take it apart it’s only gonna be a hobby truck so if everything looks decent then it will do ok for me 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-595896 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted Tuesday at 03:57 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 03:57 PM 2 minutes ago, Jocko said: The shoes I have look decent now but I just wanted to be ready for when I take it apart it’s only gonna be a hobby truck so if everything looks decent then it will do ok for me That is a very good way to approach the problem. If the drums are worn but not terrible, a re-lined set of shoes will outlast your lifetime if you aren't stopping 80K lbs on a daily biases. Don't let perfection prevent good enough. Talk to some heavy truck parts houses and find one that will either re-line or send your shoes out for re-line. Last time I did that it was a week + or- for them to be ready for pick-up. Being a hobby truck you can wait that long. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-595897 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocko Posted Tuesday at 05:22 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 05:22 PM 1 hour ago, Geoff Weeks said: That is a very good way to approach the problem. If the drums are worn but not terrible, a re-lined set of shoes will outlast your lifetime if you aren't stopping 80K lbs on a daily biases. Don't let perfection prevent good enough. Talk to some heavy truck parts houses and find one that will either re-line or send your shoes out for re-line. Last time I did that it was a week + or- for them to be ready for pick-up. Being a hobby truck you can wait that long. Thank you Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-595898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HarryS Posted yesterday at 02:30 PM Popular Post Share Posted yesterday at 02:30 PM I have the same FA 505 with spokes set up. I was unable to adjust the brakes and when the drums were pulled two of the brake shoes were frozen on the studs. The linings were about 75% with no grease or oil contamination. The drums were good with no ridges. After taking it all apart cleaning and re lubricating everything worked fine. I did have to replace the slack adjusters. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596028 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocko Posted 5 hours ago Author Share Posted 5 hours ago On 5/14/2026 at 10:30 AM, HarryS said: I have the same FA 505 with spokes set up. I was unable to adjust the brakes and when the drums were pulled two of the brake shoes were frozen on the studs. The linings were about 75% with no grease or oil contamination. The drums were good with no ridges. After taking it all apart cleaning and re lubricating everything worked fine. I did have to replace the slack adjusters. I just pray to god mine are salvageable cause these brake shoes are obsolete I can’t find anything about them haha I might need a new front axle if they are no good I hope I don’t have to do that Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596073 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted 3 hours ago Share Posted 3 hours ago oh linings are out there,,,,your not looking in the right place,, junk yard used if nothing else,,good luck,,i cant help too far away...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596076 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted 2 hours ago Share Posted 2 hours ago blank lining can be cut, formed, drilled for rivets, and counter sunk. I used to get brake shoes for the English buses re-lined, and there was no buying pre-made linings for them here. I assume there are still places (likely not as many) that do that. I cut bulk lining and drilled, counter-sunk and riveted brake bands for the semi-auto transmissions in the buses. Worked like a charm. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596077 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted 2 hours ago Share Posted 2 hours ago specialty shops everywhere are fading away,,bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596078 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago Worse case you can order the raw materials from McMaster-Carr. Brake lining material and rivets. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596079 Share on other sites More sharing options...
davehummell Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago I remember getting brake lining from Macgeorge truck parts and having to bolt the lining on the shoes brass bolts with nuts and washers very time consuming, when I was still working on Cat equipment I did a lot of lining for steering brakes and other brake bands I remember I did some bands for an old cable crane I was working on Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596080 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago Last I looked brake bolt were still available. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596081 Share on other sites More sharing options...
davehummell Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago I just remembered Enzo over to Franconi's told me they had two different types of lining material one was for power brakes and the softer was for manual brakes I used the soft lining and made new brake lining for me and my uncles cub cadet tractors I just glued the material on the pads and you baked them in a special heater Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/76664-1959-b61t-brake-shoes/#findComment-596085 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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