Hi

I'm replacing the rear shoes on my son's Fabia (W reg 1,4 Classic) and the pattern shoe is different from the original. It's bent outwards at a lower point, meaning it's fine for the handbrake cable connection at the bottom, but not for securing the top bar (whatever it's called - has two springs on it and the V-shaped auto-adjuster). As a result, the top bar will slot on easily, but also falls off easily! The crossbar doesn't stay in place like it does on the original shoe because the space between the handbrake bar and the shoe is not wide enough. Anyone had a similar problem and overcome it?

I know I should have bought original parts...

Cheers

Hi

I'm replacing the rear shoes on my son's Fabia (W reg 1,4 Classic) and the pattern shoe is different from the original. It's bent outwards at a lower point, meaning it's fine for the handbrake cable connection at the bottom, but not for securing the top bar (whatever it's called - has two springs on it and the V-shaped auto-adjuster). As a result, the top bar will slot on easily, but also falls off easily! The crossbar doesn't stay in place like it does on the original shoe because the space between the handbrake bar and the shoe is not wide enough. Anyone had a similar problem and overcome it?

I know I should have bought original parts... Cheers

Well, my only experience of using "pattern parts" for VAG drum brakes was when I replaced my the shoes on my daughter's 2002 "51" Ibiza 6K a couple of years ago, the only brand ECP sold were SBP and they were very badly made and needed the metalwork and linings cut down a bit. Also the fitting spring anchor kit had springs that were crudely cut so the springs would not sit properly, I ended up just using the original springs. Quite frankly, rubbish, but they did the job after getting finished off better. One thing I will say is that "pattern parts" providers don't bother to find out every variation of parts used by the car maker - so as you have found, using these parts can end up wasting money and time. The only compliant part of these parts needs to be the spec on the friction material - not good enough! You might also find that they have tried to make one shoe pattern fit more applications than the original, and sometimes that works and sometimes it does not.

Well, my only experience of using "pattern parts" for VAG drum brakes was when I replaced my the shoes on my daughter's 2002 "51" Ibiza 6K a couple of years ago, the only brand ECP sold were SBP and they were very badly made and needed the metalwork and linings cut down a bit. Also the fitting spring anchor kit had springs that were crudely cut so the springs would not sit properly, I ended up just using the original springs. Quite frankly, rubbish, but they did the job after getting finished off better. One thing I will say is that "pattern parts" providers don't bother to find out every variation of parts used by the car maker - so as you have found, using these parts can end up wasting money and time. The only compliant part of these parts needs to be the spec on the friction material - not good enough! You might also find that they have tried to make one shoe pattern fit more applications than the original, and sometimes that works and sometimes it does not.

Yep, I guess buying genuine is the only way to be sure. Ouch!