upper/lower brake shoes

[StormCloud601]

How do I tell the upper from lower brake shoes? They're new and look the same.

 

[Anonymous-0]

'Taint shore, but there might be a difference if'N install'N on a 2 or 9(N) series as opposed to the 8N.

John,PA

 

[Dell (WA)]

Stormy.........brake shoe 101. The LEADING shoe has slightly MORE brake area than the TRAILING shoe. When braking in the forward motion, the leading shoe DRIVES the trailing shoe with MORE POWER than you can apply with yer gimpy legged clod-hoppers. When braking in REVERSE, the extra area of the leading shoe helps provide MORE stopping power 'cuz the trailing shoe can't pivot and apply braking power to the leading shoe. (unlike when in forward motion)

TIP: chamfer (angle grind) ALL the square edges of the brake friction material. (front and sides) This will allow yer shoes to "seat" and NOT SQUEAL or GRAB. Unlike automobile brake drums, you really do NOT haffta "turn the drums" to make them round so they don't wobble or take out the rivet scratches. Why? 'cuz brakes ain't on front wheels grabbin' att'chur steering wheel. Me? I sandpaper the gloss off'n the drum surface and yer good-to-stop........Dell