VL rear brake lining thickness?

[Buster]

Hi, I am peicing together the rear brake on my VL. I have brake shoes with good linings on them, however when I install the backing plate with brake shoes in drum, the tight is very tight and drum will barely turn, The linings were already on the shoes, could they possibly too thick. Can anybody (or Steve) tell me the correct thickness for a new VL brake lining. Thanks!!

[Chris Haynes]

They are most likely a bit oversize. Take your whole assembly to a brake shop who can arc grind the shoes to fit.

[Buster]

Thanks, I will try that.

[Steve Slocombe]

The rear brake linings were a little thinner in 1930, then the shoes and linings were both changed for 1931-36. I'm putting on a modern 5 mm bonded lining on these, which is usually OK, depending on brake shell wear and whether it's been skimmed. Self-energising was a potential problem on worn rear brakes, not remedied until a bushing was put round the operating shaft starting 11 Jan 37. This was available as a retrofit, and mechanics were also advised in Shop Dope 157A of 13 Apr 37 to chamfer the ends of the brake linings.