[DGO]

Having just passed my MOT, just being the key word for the handbrake, I've been looking for a replacement set of brake shoes (very worn on the driver's side, the "shoe activation lever" was seized). So now casting around for shoes which seem quite expensive. Found these: MINTEX REAR BRAKE SHOE SET CHRYSLER 300 C 2004-2008 MFR541 | eBay which I believe are the right ones for just under £24 delivered and wanted to check if that's a good price or if anyone knows better

Thanks

 

[steelblue300c]

Sounds cheap enough to me. The little actuator lever will free off in a vice with plenty of WD40 & wiggling. There are a couple of threads recently about the rear brake shoes on here. Put some copper grease on the lever and pad sliders when you fit them.
If you use the parking brake every time you park it will keep them in better working order!!!

 

[DGO]

Freed off and copper greased the little actuator that was stuck though not sure if it's back in the right way up, one was facing up (the seized one), the other down (was replaced by main dealer) so I need to double check against the manual when I fit the new shoes

 

[[email protected]]

I think they have an arrow on them.

 

[jackwalton]

Think they have the word "UP" stamped on them, but not sure.

 

[[email protected]]

Think they have the word "UP" stamped on them, but not sure.

Theres defo something on them isn't there lol. :wink:

 

[DGO]

Thanks for that just read the manual carefully and it says "4. Install shoe actuator lever (1) on end of parking
brake cable (2). Make sure actuator lever is positioned with word “UP” facing outward." One of mine at least must have been put in wrong by the professionals then.......

Should get new shoes before the weekend so will strip them down then

 

[20623]

One of my shoes was worn down. Not fully to the metal, but quite a difference between the other one.
I just switched them around.
It is only a parking brake afterall.
Provided the actuators don't sieze, then these ought to really last the life of the car, as they'd have litle to no friction wear.

 

[jackwalton]

One of my shoes was worn down. Not fully to the metal, but quite a difference between the other one.
I just switched them around.
It is only a parking brake afterall.
Provided the actuators don't sieze, then these ought to really last the life of the car, as they'd have litle to no friction wear.

I agree with you on this one. The shoes should never need changing because of excessive wear unless brake is not applied (Or not working) properly.
When brake is working properly you cannot possibly set off with it applied so it should never wear because theres no rotation/friction.

Jack

 

[DGO]

I agree with you on this one. The shoes should never need changing because of excessive wear unless brake is not applied (Or not working) properly.
When brake is working properly you cannot possibly set off with it applied so it should never wear because theres no rotation/friction.

Jack

Agree "should" being the key work here, but when the actuator has seized (fairly common by the looks of things) then the shoes get knackered; in my case the driver's side ones are almost through the lining at the front and when I removed the disc loads of dust from the linings came out. So I freed off the actuator and passed MOT (just) and am going to replace the shoes on that side this weekend as long as my new shoes arrive

 

[20623]

My parking brake never really worked from me buying the car at 9 months old.
It passed the MOT 2 years later.
It was after the MOT that I decided to have a look at it.
I'm amazed it got through the MOT as the drivers side was none existant.

 

[Sonsarus Amaryllus]

The biggest killer of parking brakes is rust. I've had the drums corrode so badly because of no use when the discs are perfectly functional.
If I could organise myself properly, I would drive a short distance every week with the brake lightly on just to clean up the surfaces. Doug L

 

[jackwalton]

The biggest killer of parking brakes is rust. I've had the drums corrode so badly because of no use when the discs are perfectly functional.
If I could organise myself properly, I would drive a short distance every week with the brake lightly on just to clean up the surfaces. Doug L

Very good point.

 

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

I take it nobody leaves the E brake on overnight or over a long time......do they???.....

 

[[email protected]]

I have used mine ever since I unsiezed the expanders, overnight and sometimes for days on end.

 

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

Oh well never mind.....you'll see later on....

 

[[email protected]]

Oh well never mind.....you'll see later on....

Its been brill for over a year now. I did copper slip the expanders though :wink:

 

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

It's not the adjusters I'm on about,it's the rust build up from the shoe contact on the drum,it slowly wears the shoes away and you can't figure out why.....I way unadjust mine so they don't even touch and when it comes to MOT time I adjust them up.......hang on a mo...just remembered who MOT's my cars.......lol

 

[[email protected]]

It's not the adjusters I'm on about,it's the rust build up from the shoe contact on the drum,it slowly wears the shoes away and you can't figure out why.....I way unadjust mine so they don't even touch and when it comes to MOT time I adjust them up.......hang on a mo...just remembered who MOT's my cars.......lol

Lmao :wink: Where you been hiding, it's been really quite without you about lol.

 

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

Don't blame me,I've not been hiding,just been cold shouldered by some.....well maybe one.....lol