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

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

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

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