Brake shoes, drums, levers and spreaders, adjustment and issues with new parts

Buyer beware then, but good for them to state it a all.
It must be said that it takes more than bolting parts on to be a mechanic.
The first thing to ponder with any part is what could go wrong/why is this particular one cheap..

 

So it appears the cheaper drums available often seem to be oval with some reports of them distorting after a short period of time and the Brazilian ones are round but have a thick face so the studs end up to short and only one hole for the retaining bolts.

When I need to replace mine I think I’ll go with the Brazilian ones and fit longer studs.

There’s not much nowadays that’s a straightforward fit out of the box and it’s not going to get any better

 

@77 Westy got there before me. Yes that is what it said and it's a fair description.
@Zed these were the mid priced version, not the cheapest (See VWH for those) nor the most expensive (also see VWH). I just wanted as close to spec as possible and hopefully the Alan Schofield ones will be.

 

They looked OK to be honest other than the thick stud area. However, and this might be a good thing to reduce interference with the back plate, the depth of the hubs were slightly less than my old ones. Sorry I don't have the measurements.

 

What a saga Chris! Fingers crossed they will be. Schofield's sell crap as well but seem to stock less than some others.
Edit..crap that is...less crap. Oh happy Friday

 

In my experience if you phone Schofields and ask about the difference in the same products they are offering they will be honest and tell you why ones better than the other and if they know of anything you might have to adapt to make them fit.

It’s good c&c said no worries about sending them back
If it had been jk or heritage they would tell you there fine and they have never had a complaint before

Jk will even remove any reviews that say things don’t fit properly or are poor quality

 

I did phone Schofield and the chap took some photos of the actual hubs and sent them to be before I ordered them.

 

There a helpful bunch

 

Of course they are, they’re Northerners.

 

I’m from Southampton – just saying.

 

Yes, but like a certain taxi driver, I think you have some Scottish blood.

 

Funny that, I used to phone VWH every time I ordered anything and get an honest appraisal including being warned off some of there stock.

It appears (to me) that the Brazil version is cheaper to make and always the cheaper option, perhaps getting strength from the thickness of the steel rather than it's grade. The only warped ones I've had from new were also the Brazil ones - double whammy.

 

pot luck then

 

Or times have changed? Heritage used to be a great company with by far the widest range of stock but I get the impression they've drifted towards a more profitable outlook and not bothering with the hard to source stuff like they used to. Perhaps they just can't get a lot of items that 20 years ago they could. Perhaps there's no money in it. The website is rubbish nowadays too.

 

I've said it before but Meyle UK are next door to VWH in Shoreham. They share common directors.
Meyle aren't known as top of the tree by any means in the aftermarket parts world.
Now it's quite possible that 2 cultures can exist side by side but I seriously doubt it.
Gone are the days when companies like Heritage could tap into the existing OEM stock at Classic VW in Germany. That stuff just doesn't exist anymore. However, with a sister company that is mid range at best and never to my knowledge an OEM can we really be shocked and horrified that Heritage quality ain't what it used to be

 

Has anyone tried buying parts from Waitrose?

 

Their quinoa isn't quite the right diameter for my liking

 

Not surprised, just sad. I spent a lot of money with them purely because they could almost always supply everything I wanted in one hit AND had pukka parts as well as the cruddier alternatives. I was spending £5 figures per year with them and had a direct line to one particular trade rep for it. As you know this kind of thing is valuable - you can spend a hell of a lot of time sourcing and buying parts - when a customer is waiting (and their van clogging up your workshop) you can't be fecking about with cruddy stuff or suppliers who only offer the basics. I actually gave up with Schofields because lovely though they were, they couldn't safely package a panel to save their life - everything arrived damaged in ex-pushbike boxes taped together with no protection inside. I sent so much back in the end we agreed to go our separate ways.

 

Going through my old parts receipts files was interesting..Heritage proved very good for parts, seem OK still, Schofields deffo have the best panels and body bits. Spent a fortune in the bodyshop though probably paid for the bus twice over.
JK were very good in the beginning and helpful, but can see that they have moved on.
Geoff Thomas at Autocavan deserves a mention he did me a good deal on some 36 dells when he was closing down!!! He always had the genuine parts.

 

I had some drums from JK where one was dropped and lost a bit of its edge. Then they warped badly.
Fortunately I still had the original drums from when I bought the bus. These went back on and lasted until the outer lip started to rust off ( the one that covers the edge of the backing plate)

I replaced them with expensive not Brazil drums from Heritage and they have been excellent since..

As they say: buy cheap, buy twice.

As the cost of parts is cheap compared with fuel and labour for my bus, I have gone over to choosing based on description rather than price. Stuff for our buses is cheap even if you pay top price e..g
Watching a youtube video about repairing a Subaru EJ20 that destroyed a crank and conrods about 5 mins after the seller vanished , Lee at Barum engines said that would cost about £6000 to replace..


But we now have.. from the viewpoint of a boring 1974 model crossover owner..

Schofields.. honest about the quality of their parts. Packaging has seemed OK when I bought stuff.

Heritage - mostly OK but dont allow phone support.

JK .. ok for decorated melamine crockery sets, and Preservation Parts branded kit which is usually pretty good. Again no phone support, no Haribos in the packaging (about 70% of why I dont go there as much any more) .
When I wanted stuff urgently, I used to enjoy the challenge of the drive to Odiham that included one road that looked like a farm track on a bad day as mud from the banks either side filled up the hollow lane..