Brakes

[Grady Ray]

Roughly, at what point, (millage wise) do brake shoes need replacing? Disc brakes have a warning sound when waring out. What about shoes?
Grady Ray and Donna

[Gocoffeer]

Grady .... I get almost 3 to one for the front to rear replacements. But I still pull and adjust if needed the rears everytime I play inspection (every other season in my case).

[zmotorsports]

Grady, according to your profile you are talking about your Imperial DP correct? If so I have seen these things go a couple hundred thousand miles. Way too many factors to give a set mileage for replacement. Things such as driving habits, routes taken, and how often you are using your engine compression brake/exhaust brake. Obvioulsy more interstate miles and using your exhaust brake routinely will help them to last quite a bit longer than mountainous terrain or two lane driving through small towns where you are on the brakes more.

I check mine out each year as part of the annual inspection/maintenance. The disks you can usually see if you get your head in the right position and the drums are quite easy to see as most manufacturers such as Bendix don't install backing plates. The industry standard is when 1/4" of lining is left. I generally use a 1/2" open end wrench as a go/no go gauge. When I can get that open end of the wrench to fit over the lining and the web then I would replace.

Mike.

[Wingman1]

I just purchased my "new to me" Beaver in July. Before the dealer would let me have it, he put all new brakes on it. 52000 miles on odometer. My guess is the previous owner did not know how to use the exhaust brake very well.

[walt2137]

If they were wore out then the previous owner had to ride them a lot or the auto adjusters were doing something goofy.
Do a search on air brake test, everone should do the test more than once a year.