Quality 356 Drum Brake Job in the San Francisco Bay Area

[Paul Giganti]

My 62' 356 Super needs a full brake job. I want to find a mechanic who still does drum brakes including turning shoes and drums to match. I live near Berkeley CA so am looking for a full brake job in the San Francisco Bay Area. Brakes are now just marginal; could drive short distances, so closer is better.

Paul

[Doug McDonnell]

Steve Douglas from Gilroy posted a list of mechanics I think. In Sunnyvale RMG Enterprises. Found the link viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42792 Any decent 356 Mechanic should be able to do your brakes.

[Paul Giganti]

I don't mind bringing a good drum brake mechanic my drums along with new shoes to match. I can disassemble and assemble, including new master and slave cylinders, brake lines, etc. But I want someone who can machine the drums into round and turn the individual shoes to match each drum.

I appreciate the list of 356 mechanics, but that's a pretty long list to call and find a brake specialist. Anybody know someone who is especially good with drum brakes in the SF Bay Area?

[Doug McDonnell]

Call Jay( The Maestro's machinist) and see if he does them: Jay's Precision Machine Santa Clara, CA, 408-980-0743 If not the Guru who even relines drums is: Martin http://mwthemachineshop.com

[James Watters]

Didn't Stoddard just start offering newly manufactured brake drums?? Or am I having another wishful dream session.

[Doug McDonnell]

Yes $1720 a drum and you would still need to have new brake linings arced to the drum.

[Steve Douglas]

Good Morning Paul, I would give Bill Eason a try, he's a good 356 mechanic and is close by you. (510) 420-1262 website http://easonauto.com
As far as parts: replace the wheel cylinders, Master cylinder and reservoir (plastic), and hoses. Currently available relined shoes have had lots of discussion lately, the linings being too hard, which is a industry trend. In Oakland we used, ( long time ago) Oakland Friction Materials on San Pablo Ave, but lately can't find them on the internet, so may be closed up. I have used recently B&A Friction in San Jose, they offer at least 3 hardness levels of winnings. They also can arc the shoes and turn the drums. http://www.bafriction.com Don't know of anybody else locally who does the complete job of relining and fitting, most machine shops can turn drums and a few may have the arcing grinder. As a note unless your drums are scored I wouldn't have them turned, maybe "sanding" a little to break the glaze, turning takes material off which then enlarges the diameter. Different diameter drums may require marking as far as left and right to match the also marked shoes.