[rtrent57]

I bought a rebuild kit from Inline Tube that has all the new springs & hardware plus brake shoes. All 4 brake shoes are the same. There is no small pad for the front of the drum, just long pads for the back of the drum.

I questioned In-line Tube and they stated that would be fine.

Just confirming this is the case.

thanks
Steve

 

[O52]

While not the norm it should be OK.

Why 2 different shoes on drum brakes? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Suspension and Chassis - Why 2 different shoes on drum brakes? - What is the point behind having 2 different length shoes per drum on drum brake equipped cars? I have heard that you can use 2 long shoes to help increase braking power, but was wondering what effect this would have over the...

www.thirdgen.org

Muscle Car Brakes are a much better way to go:

http://www.musclecarbrakes.com/bib6472gto.html

 

[Duff]

I grabbed this from the H.A.M.B. site, explains it pretty well, I'd send them back. "The shoes pivot at the bottom. The top gets pressed out. So, when you apply the brakes going forward, the natural reaction is for the front shoe to "grab" at the top. The rear shoe is longer to help add its share of braking, and the front shoe is shorter to prevent grabbing."

 

[Mine'sa66]

It will not work well. Will definitely be "grabby" and make noise. As others have posted, they use a long shoe/short shoe for a reason.
All you technicians out there remember back to your A5 test.
"A technician has reversed the primary and secondary shoes on a drum brake system, what are the most likely symptoms"

I've just outlined them.

 

[BLK69JUDGE]

send em back

 

[rockdoc]

I've experienced a few issues like this with Inline Tube. Once got a one-way valve for the AC from them, and it was constructed backwards (check valve was backwards). I told them, and they replied that their way was correct. I'm pretty sure they didn't even check it. So I installed the valve backwards....

 

[geeteeohguy]

Duff nailed it. These are 'servo energizing' brakes and the leading shoe needs to be shorter. Return that crap and buy Raybestos or Wagner from NAPA or Rock Auto and be done with it.