"remanufactured" brake shoes

[keithy]

I am in the market to replace brake shoes off my 98 camry. Looked at several auto stores and there are these "remanufactured" brake shoes from Beck/Arnley. Does anyone know what does the "remanufactured" mean? Are there any particular brake shoe type I should look for, for a quiet city driving type application? thanks.

[touringcamry]

The only part that I can think of that would be reusable would be the metal plate to which the friction material is attached. When I bought brake shoes a while back there was a core charge on them. So I'm guessing they strip the friction material and attach new friction material. Since the plate is not new, I guess they have to call it remanufactured.

[keithy]

thank for the info touring. Btw which brand name brake shoe you bought? also, how is the quality? does it squeak when you apply pressure to it? Is it harder to install compared to the OEM ones?

[toyomoho]

Remanufactured kind of means rebuilt, the parts that wear out are changed. In the case of brakes, new friction material is bonded to the old metal part. The OEM and after market (or remanufactured) shoe should install the same. Cannot speak for quality, but if your driving is normal should be fine. Glazed drums often cause squeaking, make sure you get the drums turned. The front pads usually take the brunt of the wear.

[touringcamry]

I vaguely remember the brand. I bought them from Napa and it was United or something like that. It came out to $35-40 or so after tax and core charge though. Probably doesn't help you much though.

I never put the shoes in though because my problem was that the drums needed resurfacing. The shoes were fine so I just returned them.

[keithy]

thank for the input toyomoho and touringcamry.