Model 4707 brake shoes come with an arc length measuring around 14.3 inches or 363 millimeters, paired with a steel backing plate that's approximately 0.39 inch thick (about 10 mm). These dimensions have been specifically designed to maximize contact surface area when used in those Class 6 through 7 drum brake systems. The friction material is made from a mix of semi metallic components including roughly 60 percent steel fibers and about 30 percent ceramic particles, all held together by a special resin infused with graphite. What makes this combination work so well is how it maintains a stable friction level between 0.38 and 0.42 throughout different temperature ranges. This means the brakes engage consistently without slipping, plus they handle heat much better than standard alternatives.
The proprietary friction formula in brake shoes 4707 addresses three critical challenges in demanding service:
These characteristics stem from advanced material engineering that balances durability, thermal stability, and friction consistency under sustained load.
Brake shoes 4707 utilize a 114° curvature radius designed to match standard 16.5" x 7" brake drums, ensuring full circumferential contact within 0.020" (0.5 mm) tolerance. A spring-loaded pivot design accommodates 0.15–0.35" (3.8–8.9 mm) variations in drum diameter—common in aging systems—maintaining optimal clearance without manual adjustment and reducing maintenance downtime.
A recent thermal analysis using computational fluid dynamics shows that the 4707 model with its nickel reinforced edges cuts down on those hot spots by around 18 percent when compared to standard designs during ten back-to-back stops from 60 to 0 miles per hour. Tests in controlled labs have shown just 0.002 inches (about 0.05 millimeters) of lining compression even after going through 15,000 cycles under heavy 12,000 pound axle loads. This means these brakes maintain their stopping power where it really matters most for tough jobs in waste collection and building sites where components get pushed to their limits day after day.
Engineered for Class 6–7 trucks operating at 26,000–33,000 lb GVWR, brake shoes 4707 deliver enhanced performance in stop-and-go urban and regional delivery cycles. Their reinforced steel core and high-density friction lining provide 18–22% greater heat dissipation versus standard options, mitigating wear caused by heavy payloads (NAST 2023). The precise curvature ensures complete drum contact, maximizing stopping power while minimizing vibration—essential for sensitive cargo or rough terrain operation.
A 12-month analysis of 80 Class 6 trucks demonstrated that brake shoes 4707 extended service intervals by 40% compared to OEM equivalents. In fleets averaging 150–200 daily stops, results showed:
Metric | Brake Shoes 4707 | Standard Brakes | Improvement |
---|---|---|---|
Avg. Lining Wear/Mile | 0.0035 mm | 0.0058 mm | 39.7% |
Thermal Crack Incidents | 2.1% | 8.7% | 75.9% |
This advantage is driven by a friction formulation that sustains a coefficient of friction above 0.38 at 650°F—25% higher thermal stability than industry benchmarks.
Reverse-engineered to match OEM drum specifications within ±0.15 mm tolerance, brake shoes 4707 integrate seamlessly with ABS and traction control systems. Fleet managers report 22% faster service turnarounds due to pre-torqued anchor pins, interchangeable left/right designs reducing part inventory, and color-coded wear indicators aligned with preventive maintenance schedules. These features support FMVSS 121 compliance and extend relining intervals to 65,000–75,000 miles in typical urban delivery operations, as verified under SAE J1807-2022 dynamometer testing.
Fleet data from 2023 shows brake shoes 4707 achieve 23% longer service life than standard models. Precision-engineered linings distribute friction evenly across the drum surface, minimizing localized hot spots and preventing accelerated wear patterns common in frequent-stop applications such as Class 6–7 delivery routes.
Testing by the Commercial Vehicle Engineering Consortium found that brake shoes 4707 retain 94% of initial torque after 15,000 high-intensity stop cycles. The copper-free friction material resists degradation at sustained temperatures up to 600°F (316°C), making it ideal for garbage trucks and construction vehicles operating in prolonged stop-and-go conditions.
The ventilated core design dissipates heat 18% faster than solid-backing competitors (2024 Heavy-Duty Braking Report), addressing inherent thermal limitations of drum brakes. This balance maintains consistent pedal feel during mountain descents and prevents brake fluid vaporization—key factors in reducing unscheduled maintenance for over-the-road carriers.
Key Performance Metrics
Characteristic | Brake Shoes 4707 | Industry Average |
---|---|---|
Wear Resistance | 85,000 miles | 65,000 miles |
Peak Temperature Limit | 650°F | 550°F |
Torque Retention | 92% at EOL | 78% at EOL |
This performance profile explains why major fleet operators specify 4707-series components for vehicles exceeding 26,000 GVWR with severe-duty cycles.
The brake shoes model 4707 comply with both FMVSS 121 and SAE J866 standards when it comes to how they distribute braking force, resist fading, and maintain stopping distance capabilities. These components go through more than a thousand thermal cycles where temperatures exceed 600 degrees Fahrenheit according to testing protocols from SAE International back in 2025. This kind of rigorous testing simulates what happens during those long downhill stretches where brakes get really hot. When these brake shoes are certified as performing properly, they help Class 6 to 7 trucks stop within about 250 feet even when fully loaded to their gross vehicle weight rating. This meets the efficiency targets set by NHTSA for heavy duty vehicles, which makes them a solid choice for fleet operators concerned about safety and regulatory compliance.
Using statistical process control (SPC) keeps bond shear strength well above the critical 1,200 PSI mark, which studies from the Industrial Brake Council in 2025 show is necessary to stop those annoying delamination issues in drum brake systems. The automated vision inspection system can actually spot tiny air pockets as small as 0.3% density and automatically sends these defective parts straight to rejection. Independent auditors check everything against ISO 9001:2015 standards regularly, and this strict oversight helps keep field failures extremely low at less than 0.05%, even after vehicles have racked up around 500,000 miles of driving.
Brake shoes 4707 have an arc length of approximately 14.3 inches or 363 millimeters, with a steel backing plate around 0.39 inch thick.
The friction formula includes embedded cooling channels, improving heat dissipation by 22%, and maintaining a stable friction level.
Yes, the spring-loaded pivot design accommodates variations in drum diameter, common in aging systems, maintaining optimal clearance.