willysmjeeps.com

My M38A1 handbrake shoes were junk so I ordered a pair of new ('80s) lined shoes and a newly-manufactured lever they fit on from a MV-jeep parts dealer. I've spent a couple of hours trying to get it all in place several different ways, and I've read and re-read everything in the manuals. No luck at all. It seems like the liners are just too thick. If I could force things into place (which I won't), I'm sure the drum would be locked up tight, even at the loosest adjustment of pull rod. I was just wondering if anybody else has run into this kind of problem with these new parts. Thanks.

How did things turn out for the brake shoes?

Many folks have had them relined at a brake shop.

Just curious.

John Bizal of Midwest Military saw my post and contacted me. He said he knew of some interference problems when fitting NOS shoes to the newly-manufactured arm. As I have done a good bit of business with John in the past, he offered to take the parts to his shop and do the necessary small reworking of the arm. In a few days I had them back with the problem solved. Thanks John!