Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

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AdminJeff
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Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by AdminJeff » Sun Dec 22, 2019 5:35 am

My linings have seen better days and driving this car as much as I do, I think now is a good time to undertake this project. At least the car will be apart while it pours down rain instead of sitting there all pretty, waiting and ready to go for a drive.

I've searched everywhere but I can only find one vendor, Lang's, who sells replacement linings for the RMB's. Anyone used these? Any other sources?

https://www.modeltford.com/item/RMB-LIN.aspx

I also found this tool in my "barn find" pile of parts. Looks like it's used for setting brake rivets.
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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sun Dec 22, 2019 6:50 am

I would try the company directly Jeff.

Rocky Mountain Brake Co. Inc
39810 Bella Vista Road
Temecula, CA 92592
Phone 951-676-1746
Fax 951-694-9932
Orders 888-786-7728


All the Best,

Hank

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by AdminJeff » Sun Dec 22, 2019 8:32 am

Wow. They're still in business. Impressive!

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by CudaMan » Sun Dec 22, 2019 8:39 am

McMaster Carr also sells bulk brake lining material in various widths and thicknesses.
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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by Stephen_heatherly » Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:08 am

I got the lining I needed for a set of Rockies from McMaster Carr.

Stephen

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by AdminJeff » Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:58 am

Stephen_heatherly wrote:
Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:08 am
I got the lining I needed for a set of Rockies from McMaster Carr.

Stephen
Can you post the details? Maybe a pic of the invoice?

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by AndyClary » Sun Dec 22, 2019 11:25 am

Jeff, I PM'd you, I have everything you need.

Andy

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by ewdysar » Sun Dec 22, 2019 1:03 pm

Jeff,

Here’s the link to the McMaster-Carr brake lining page. Pick the width and thickness as appropriate for your specific application.

https://www.mcmaster.com/brake-lining

For anyone that has ordered this lining for their Rocky Mountains, what thickness did you order, and would you get the same next time?

Keep crankin’
Eric

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by jsaylor » Sun Dec 22, 2019 1:34 pm

I used the lining from McMaster Carr on my 21 Touring and 27 Tudor. After about a year I found the lining was severely wearing my drums. I removed the lining and am now using the woven metallic from Chaffins with no issues.


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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by Scott_Conger » Sun Dec 22, 2019 2:01 pm

John

as a point of interest, when you switched to Chaffin's softer material, did your braking improve, degrade or remain about the same?

thank you for any info you may offer.
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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sun Dec 22, 2019 3:06 pm

Folks,

I use only the original style since we are braking on a steel drum and not a heavy casting. The aggressive material lining is great for the parking/emergency brake but would not recommend it for the primary. Would cause premature wear and excessive heat. A lot of excessive wear on the RMB outside linings is from my experience people modifying or improper adjustments with the engine brake and outside bands/shoes. Just saying.

All the Best,

Hank

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by AndyClary » Sun Dec 22, 2019 6:28 pm

I use the McMaster Carr molded lining 1/4 inch thick. Works good, I have relined a lot of Rockies with no sign of abnormal wear.


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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by Scott_Conger » Sun Dec 22, 2019 6:53 pm

folks saying to use McMaster-Carr products are not specifying which friction co-efficient they're using, so the advice to use McMaster-Carr lining is not much help without that information.
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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by ewdysar » Sun Dec 22, 2019 11:38 pm

Although I haven’t needed to reline either my Rocky Mountains or my A-C external brakes yet, I would have only thought to replace the current woven linings with the single woven material available, if sourcing from McMaster-Carr. That product is “also known as semi-metallic woven strips... with brass wire woven into the material to increase strength and increase heat dissipation” and has a max coefficient of friction of 0.51. The higher friction coefficient at lower pressure seems to be most compatible with our mechanical, rather than hydraulic, external brake systems. I would expect this to be similar to the product available from RM or Chaffin’s. Does anyone know if there are significant differences between what is supplied by these three sources?

That said, it appears that Andy has been using McMaster-Carr molded lining, so he has more options for grip, durability, and related component wear.

Keep crankin’
Eric

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by AndyClary » Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:23 am

The molded lining has a coefficient of .47 according to their specs. Rocky Mountain brakes come with molded lining. It's your choice, just what works for me.

Andy

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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by jsaylor » Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:29 pm

Lining differences - when I took the McMaster-carr lining off, I tried the Black composite. It worked very well on the Touring but not so good on the heavier Tudor. So then I went with the woven from Chaffins on the sedan. Still had issues trying to stop the Tudor. After much adjusting the linkage and try and drive, I now have it to the point I can lock up the brakes. I am still experiencing brake fade after a long down hill run on 10% + grades. Just got to take it slow and easy and use the gears on long grades.


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Re: Replacing Rocky Mountain brake linings

Post by Scott_Conger » Mon Dec 23, 2019 1:16 pm

Some fellows on the AACA page have expressed opinions that woven lining works better against steel and moulded works better on cast iron...

looking at the sheets, there are far more pressure and higher coefficient of friction values available with the sheets, than the two materials presented as strips on the McMaster-Carr page

as far as fade on a long down-hill, I think the limited heat absorption/dissapation ability of a stamped steel drum will limit effectivity of prolonged application regardless of material chosen. Original Rockies had much beefier drums and likely worked far better with respect to fade for that reason.

Andy and John...thank you for clearing up and identifying your choices and experiences...that's very useful to me
Scott Conger

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