64 J65 Brake Shoe Washers

[Larry M.]

I bought/just received GM NOS frt/rear shoes in great shape in the GM boxex. Box dates are June 71 and Jan 72. Both came with the drum finishing sheet (1/2 sheet size) and a tan envelope with four washers, part no 5474328A. What are the washers for? I don't recall them on any normal brake job I've done.

[Mark M.]

Re: 64 J65 Brake Shoe Washers

Larry years ago I got a nos set of j65 shoes which had the same packet of washers. If memory is correct somewhere it was said they are for the retaining pins which go in through the backing plate to hold the shoes. Why needed? Don't know, their still in the box.

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 J65 Brake Shoe Washers

I bought/just received GM NOS frt/rear shoes in great shape in the GM boxex. Box dates are June 71 and Jan 72. Both came with the drum finishing sheet (1/2 sheet size) and a tan envelope with four washers, part no 5474328A. What are the washers for? I don't recall them on any normal brake job I've done.

Larry-------


GM #5474328 was a Delco-Moraine part number. The "A" suffix probably denotes the fact that this is a kit of 4. 5474328 was never a SERVICE available part number so I can find no info on it. There may or may not have been a Chevrolet part number for the same part.

What do these washers look like?

[Larry M.]

Re: 64 J65 Brake Shoe Washers

Here's a pic of the washers. They are thin....1/4X1/2X0.30 roughly just using a scale.

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 J65 Brake Shoe Washers

Here's a pic of the washers. They are thin....1/4X1/2X0.30 roughly just using a scale.

Larry------


All I can figure is this: very often GM SERVICE brake shoes are cataloged for a wide array of applications. It may be that one or more of the other applications for which the Corvette brake shoes are cataloged require these washers to make them work for those applications. In other words, the original brake shoes for those other applications are a bit different than the SERVICE brake shoes and these washers somehow "convert" the brake shoes to work for those applications.

[Michael J.]

Re: 64 J65 Brake Shoe Washers

I have a pack of those washers that were in my replacement J65 rear shoes, part number on the GM box 3794194, the envelope did not have a part number on it. I had been told those washers are for the pin for the emergency brake, to shim it up, when you replace them. I have not used them yet, so I am not certain that is correct.