55.2-59 Napco brake shoe brand ID

[MJN]

Figured this is a long shot but was intrigued by the brand marking on these brake shoes from my 1956 Chevy 3/4ton Napco front axle. I tried googling the part number and brand letters (CWE or WEC?) but haven't had any luck. I'd just like to see if anyone knows the brand- I'll be getting these relined anyway so they'll still get used.

[MJN]

got it figured out- Wagner Electric Co. predecessor to Wagner Lockheed.

[mr48chev]

Cool. New shoes won't be hard to find but there is a certain factor of cool in knowing that you had those redone.

[MJN]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Cool. New shoes won't be hard to find but there is a certain factor of cool in knowing that you had those redone.

I haven't found new shoes yet and I know others with Napco axles have needed to have them relined as well. At least these have a part number on them but hasn't helped locate replacements.

[mr48chev]

The shoes should be out there but the issue is, that no one has listings for Napco conversions except maybe the specialty house that sells pieces for them. Then with them it is a bit of a secret item where they rebox shoes into their box with their parts number and put their price on them.

Then again the brake shoe outfits may have obsoleted that particular shoe due to low volume overall even though it probably fits a few other applicatons. Meaning that your plan to take the shoes to a brake shop and have them relined is what has to be done.

I've got an old ragged Napa Brake parts book from the 80's that has a number of pages showing drawings of shoes and the listings run by size = diameter and width.

The pages the parts house uses are like this.

[sack54]

The Napco 4x4 truck group moved to Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531792713798709

[1project2many]

I was going to say those were Wagner shoes.

Nothing wrong with a reline if you have a source for linings and the tools or a local shop that can do it. Better still if you can contour grind the new linings to match the drum. Zero break-in time.

[mr48chev]

The big problem is that most of the brake and clutch shops have gone out of business in a lot of areas. When I lived and worked in Central Texas I would get brakeshoes and in a couple of cases have odd balls relined at Waco Brake and clutch in Waco. They were a long homerun it from the now Famous Silos in Waco then. they moved out of town to a smaller town in the past couple of years though.

[MJN]

Originally Posted by sack54

The Napco 4x4 truck group moved to Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531792713798709

Yes, I'm aware and a member there- that is where I found out they were Wagner shoes.

Originally Posted by 1project2many

I was going to say those were Wagner shoes.

Nothing wrong with a reline if you have a source for linings and the tools or a local shop that can do it. Better still if you can contour grind the new linings to match the drum. Zero break-in time.

Originally Posted by mr48chev

The big problem is that most of the brake and clutch shops have gone out of business in a lot of areas. When I lived and worked in Central Texas I would get brakeshoes and in a couple of cases have odd balls relined at Waco Brake and clutch in Waco. They were a long homerun it from the now Famous Silos in Waco then. they moved out of town to a smaller town in the past couple of years though.

I dropped the shoes off on Saturday for relining at a local shop that does relining and other heavy truck repair work. Just waiting for them to call when they're done.

[dsraven]

did you also drop the drums off so they can arc the new lined shoes to fit the drums? they usually ask you for them if they have the machine for that.

[MJN]

Originally Posted by dsraven

did you also drop the drums off so they can arc the new lined shoes to fit the drums? they usually ask you for them if they have the machine for that.

They didn't request the drums and only asked for application specifics- I'm sure they have the ability to arc the shoes- its one of their main services.
http://www.mutualwheel.com/locate/moline.php

[MJN]

Ended up sending the shoes to Industrial Brake and Clutch Exchange in Seminole, FL for relining- awesome service, quick turnaround and no issues relining. https://industrialbrakeclutch.com/
I did find out more fun stuff on these brakes- they're Studebaker truck brakes but use GM drums. Took some time to find the correct return and adjuster springs. At least now I know the common application and know parts are somewhat available.