Brake Job While doing Bearing repack

[Barman54]

Have a 2010 2950RK Mountaineer.
Third Time Repacking the Bearings.
Question:
What is the Thickness of the Brake shoes Minimum to replacement?

I have purchased new shoes, I know I could have done the whole assembly, but the last time the Magnets looked good so I see no need to replace the whole assembly. I can get them if needed.

I do not know miles driven, have been documenting miles since getting new
Advance Tires (same a Saliun) 2 years ago.

Will know next Time.

Will be doing the job this Friday/Saturday.
Thx,
Barman54

[rohrmann]

Usually, if you need new brake shoes, you will need new magnets. When you look at the cost of shoes, plus the magnets, plus wear on all the parts involved, the entire backing plate assembly is a much better option. Also, hopefully, your drums have smooth and flat surfaces not needing machining. You will get much better braking and life from your brakes and magnets by having the drums turned, brake surfaces and magnet armatures, and most auto part stores can not turn the armatures, so you need to check around for who to take the drums to for machine work. Can't answer about minimum thickness of the shoe material, but depending on how many miles you will expect to put on the rig before the next service, I would at least want more than 1/8" of brake material. When I serviced my rig a couple months ago, I had a failure of one of my backing plate assemblies, parts missing that had to be ground up inside the drum, and no obvious signs that the brake on that wheel was not working. This was enough for me to sign up for a disk brake upgrade at Coos Bay at the Western Rally. Done messing around with these substandard brakes.