50 JD Brake linings

PJH

Well-known Member
I changed a few brake linings in my life, and it was always a piece of cake. Always got the linings from the local Deere dealer, and they fit perfectly. Deere now wants upwards of $120 for a set of linings and rivets, so I bought the $30 set from one of the popular internet parts sellers. They've been on the shelf for six months, in the box, and yesterday I set about installing them. Darn - they don't fit too good - rivet holes don't match the shoe holes well, and the arch is not a good match either. I wouldn't think that sitting on the shelf would cause a fit-up problem - they have to sit on a shelf somewhere until they're sold. The fit-up is close but not quite. Maybe I'm getting old and cranky and my memory is fading, but I don't remember any issues from the linings that I got from Deere. It's not often that I say that I wish I had spent more money for a product, but I'm saying it today. Then again - maybe the Deere linings now come from the same manufacturer. Anyhow, it appears that I got what I paid for, ha.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?
 
I took my complete brake assmy to San Antonio brake and clutch company new linings resurface the drum and all cleaned up $85.00 about 8 years ago, might be someone in your area.
 
Well I remember using Deere linings back when they were more white color likely had asbestos. Those fit great and worked great and you could really bare down on the riveter too. Then they changed to some gray ones that were hard and cracked easy and did not fit real well. I think I have used some from aftermarket too and they were similar made.
 
I have found that if you start riveting them in the center and work out towards the ends I get the best results. The new facings don't fit like they used to no matter where you buy them.
 
I just take brakes to local powertrain company, they put on new bonded linings, do let them know the desired thickness.

I got the disk brakes and live power clutch relined on my MH that way.
 
Yeah, I started in the center and went to the ends. The holes were off enough that the rivet wouldn't lay straight in the hole, and after setting the rivet, the material was raised up from the shoe between the rivets. I don't think they'll live long. I haven't done the other side yet, and I'm gonna try clamping the lining to the shoe first, then re-drilling the hole. In the back of my mind, I keep wondering if laying on my shelf for 6 months or so had something to do with it. My shop is dry, but maybe somehow they "grew" enough to be a poor fit.
 
I had to re drill some of the holes and elongate the recess on the last set I bought from Deere. I had to be real careful to not set the rivet too tight or the shoe material would crack. I was not a happy camper by the time I was finished
 
I had to re drill some of the holes and elongate the recess on the last set I bought from Deere. I had to be real careful to not set the rivet too tight or the shoe material would crack. I was not a happy camper by the time I was finished
 
I don't think the shelf time hurt them. They are cheap knock offs. The ones deere sells are made by an outside source too, so who knows if the quality is any better, probably not. If you rivet the center then clamp and re-drill the outside holes it might work out. The countersunk part is the trick. Let us know how it works out.
 
The old timers used a special machine to rivet on the lining. It is hard to set without over cracking....I haven't done any in a while but I'm sure small press would work fine if you had another couple of arms...I'm really not sure that some nice gun type rivets wouldn't hold if you used some type bonding agent. As I remember we used to buy the bonded shoes. I've heard of people using bolts and nuts with lock tight....or I suppose some flat heads with locking nuts would work...I know tightening from the center is important and not over tightening or cracking....I really think some steel rivets with one of those high powered rivet tools may work best....like the other post you might have to redrill the holes...acutally I wonder if gorilla glue would hold them...
 
I always wondered if aluminum pop rivets would work. The bad side to a pop rivet is you can't control the pinch - it has to reach a certain tightness before the pin will snap, and that level of tightness might be enough to damage the lining. This material seems more fragile than the old stuff. Also, I think the pop rivet heads are thicker than the brass rivet heads that come with the linings. I don't like the idea of steel rivets, thinking that they'd scar the drums when the linings wear down. Some of us wait till the last minute to replace linings (guilty). I really don't feel like the rivets are the problem - I have a rivet set tool that makes it pretty easy. In the old days, sweet wife would balance the shoe, lining and rivet on a punch clamped in the vise while I smacked the rivet.

Re-drilling the holes will be my next try, but it's 5 degrees out there today. . .

Thanks for all of the comments. At least I don't feel quite as alone with this problem.
 
I bought a set of brake linings from John Deere for my 50 several years ago and only used one side. Other side was perfect. I would sell the other set of new linings if that will help you any.
 
Thank you for the offer Preacher man, but I don't think I'll need them. I went out and built a fire in the shop this afternoon, and pulled off the left side to look it over. The linings on the left look real good, so I'm gonna leave them alone. Just cleaning everything up and fixing a broken adjustment screw. I wear out the right brake first - this is my mowing tractor, and I make a lot of hard right turns, ha.

I noticed that the inner bushing didn't have a hole drilled in it for the oiler. I made have made a mistake, but I drilled a small hole. Probably didn't need it - the bushings are most likely original, and not showing any wear.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top