What are the differences between the TBird 55/56 front brake shoes and the TBird 57 brake shoes.  I see listing this way.  Size?  I don
t have any reference to see if the size of the 57 shoes are different.  I know 56's are 2 1/4 x 11

Thanks


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

According to my 57 shop manual they are 11", but they list the primary shoe as 2" and secondary as 2 1/2". That seems strange to me but I'm not a Bird expert.

Paul, the 55/56 Tbird used the Ford Station Wagon brakes front and rear. The 57 Tbird used the Ford 9 inch rear end rather
than the Dana 44, used on the 55/56 Tbird. Start there Pete

Pete thanks - but the front's are the ones that show a difference.





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Paul, OK look up front brakes 1955/56 Ford Station Wagon/Courier on any parts website. A word of caution about turning the Drums.
I don`t know just when the MAX OVERSIZE was part of the Drum but .030 is a good LIMIT or distortion/warping can occur
when brakes are used and drums get HOT.   Pete 

Paul, if this is not the issue can you explain IN A DIFFERENT way what the issue is?

I'm only guessing but the 57 is probably heavier then the 55-56 hence the wider shoes?

Paul,
From the '57 TBird Engineering and Specifications Manual from CTCI the front secondary lining is 11" x 2 1/2" and the

From the 1949 to 1959 Ford Parts Manual  front brake shoe and lining S/D, S/W   B6A  2001 - B
My magic decoder reads this as S = Tbird   W  = Station Wagon  D = Courier delivery    
2-AF 2018 -Y Primary
2-AF 2019 -U Secondary
You got a computer, get to work.  Pete

Thanks Jim - I know it sounds funny, but maybe that's the difference.  The primary shoe on the 56 shows 1 3/4 (secondary 2 1/4).  Most sets today have the 2 1/4 for both primary and secondary based on the two sets that I have here





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Seems to be a lot of different answers here  but I appreciate everyone's contribution.    Some say 2 1/4, some 2 1/2 on the 57. secondary.  I don't have  57 (ONLY A 56) shop manual so that is why I posed the question.  I have a set of brakes shoes for an early TBird and both primary and secondary shoes are 2 1/4 (primary linings a little shorter as usual) that I want to sell and don't want to misrepresent them.

As far as the different brake setup, Kultulz, my 56 has no such items and are just like any later Ford.  I have changed them twice so I know whats under the drum.  If I remember correctly, I bought the shoes from a Tbird parts supplier

Sandbird - this is different than what the shop manual says per RancheroJim but may be correct as CASCO's listing for drums show the 57 as different

I thought that my question was clear enough - what is the difference between 55/56 and 57 front brake shoes


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Paul, 1 min on Google

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Delco-Brake-Shoe-Sets-2-Wheel-Set-Front-or-Rear-New-LTD-Sedan-17263R/132141955970?epid=1669238359&hash=item1ec4463b82%3Ag%3Ad3EAAOSwE8Vb5Uf7&fits=Year%3A1956%7CModel%3AThunderbird%7CMake%3AFord

Pete

????? 

Pete - I appreciate your responding to my question, but I don't understand how they apply to my question





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Paul, I am sorry I was so cryptic. On the link I posted the brake shoes AC=Delco in the center have a link. Are these compatible
with my car?. You fill it out and see. Then call up NAPA and order them. Go look at them. AND that's your answer. Pete

Found this in my 57 Ford and Thunderbird Shop Manual

There you go-

Problem solved.

Now that chart shows SPEC for a factory issued car. Most likely, aftermarket and even OEM service replacement shoes will vary. It all depends on manufacturer and time period.

If a set of shoes boxed, you would I.D. by manufacturer and part number (may have been superseded)..

____________________________

That is the info I already posted at the beginning of the post..

Paul, I think the reason the answers you got being all over the map is YOUR
OWN FAULT. 
The question you asked was anything but clear and so open-ended that a lot of
the people who tried to give you an answer had to assume from your question
something entirely different from what you wanted to know. Please remember this is the internet
and I do not even know what color your car is. Pete

57RancheroJim Posted -

"That is the info I already posted at the begging of the post."

Only partially Jim.

Sandbird showed the SIZING CHART with all 57 CAR foundation brake dimensions. It makes a much easier task of what the the OP's original question was (once we realized what the question was)

Sorry Paul, just had to get that zinger in there ... .

____________________________

Sorry I don't see where the info I posted from the same 57 shop manual is any different, a picture doesn't change it.

"Sorry I don't see where the info I posted from the same 57 shop manual is any different, a picture doesn't change it."

____________________________

OK guys TIME-OUT
Good info REGARDLESS of source is why I come Here.  Pete

"What are the differences between the TBird 55/56 front brake shoes and the TBird 57 brake shoes.  I see listing this way.  Size?  I don
t have any reference to see if the size of the 57 shoes are different.  I know 56's are 2 1/4 x 11

Paul"

I am sorry about confusing you but your original question was confusing.

FORD varied the size of the linings between the PASS CAR and BIRD to achieve proper brake bias using the same style foundation brakes on both cars to save money.

The lining sizes are described fully in the appropriate year SHOP MANUAL. I have one (57) but it is still packed away somewhere. The MPC does not give the sizes.

On the 55/56 cars, there were three lining sizes depending on car type. All were 11" but had different lining sizes on the same shoe. It sounds like what you have is either for a PASS CAR or WAGON.

If my scanner worked, I would post the 55/56 chart to show the sizing chart.

Sorry about that ...

____________________________

Jeez - all this (three pages) for an answer to very simple question.  Special thanks to sandbird and 57rancheroJim


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ