Brake shoes.....

[Iver]

I noticed when inspecting the front shoes on one side of my coach there are many small hairline cracks in the surfaces of the two linings.
The shoes are almost 3/4" thick and there are no visible cracks on the edges of the linings, but as I say with my "reading glasses", I can see these cracks/checks on the surfaces.

Again, without any prior history it is difficult to know what has happened. Perhaps they were overheated at some time?

Are these cracks cause for concern?

Thanks,  Iver.

[buswarrior]

not good when the lining material is not sound.

Pick at them.

If you start getting crumble, they've been fried.

Fresh lining are not that expensive, take one to the local big parts places and see what prices you can get.

There may be a core charge and savings, trading in the shoes.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[TomC]

If you have the wheels and drums off, now is a great time to have new linings installed, and buy new drums.  They are just not that expensive.  I know at least with truck's, you can get a relining kit with new springs and new drums for less then $200.00 per wheel.  Be sure to specify which lining material they put on.  What you don't want is the standard bus type lining-typically it is much harder, but more resistant to heat-which translated, means they don't work well when cold.  What you want is actually what's called the economy lining that works well in all instances, that is a bit softer, and works well when cold.  Good Luck, TomC

[gus]

I expected Tom to say something about small hairline cracks. I'm nowhere as knowledgeable as he on that subject but as I understand it small hairline cracks are normal on heavy duty linings.

That is very good info from Tom about hard/soft linings. Mine are nowhere near needing replacing but I'll remember to use soft.

[TomC]

Hair line cracks on the brake drum is normal.  The linings should NOT have hair line cracks. Good Luck, TomC