Where to get felt washers for anchor bolts on brakes?

[MarcDeSoto]

I'm putting my brakes together on my 48 DeSoto and I saw that I'm missing the felt washers and retainers on my front brake anchor bolts.  Little parts like that are not sold anywhere to my knowledge.  Does anyone have a solution to this?  

[MarcDeSoto]

Looking online, I found a store that sells the anchor bolt felt washers and retainers, but don't know if they would fit a 48 Desoto.  https://shop.midwestmilitary.com/product/washer-felt-oil/

 

I also saw that someone used battery terminal felt on his brakes.  He would have to oil them though.  

 

 

[TodFitch]

I made my own from felt I got at an industrial felt and gasket company. Not much help as that was back in the late 1980s and there were all sorts of local specialty businesses back then that seem to have been replaced by large Internet based concerns.

 

But, if you can find the material the correct thickness, making a few felt washers is pretty easy especially if you get a punch set.

 

Harbor Freight has a couple of punch sets for making holes. Not sure I'd want to use theirs if I was a professional but for an occasional gasket, or felt washer, making by an amateur it is good enough for me.

 

The retainers might be more challenging. I'd check the usual vintage Mopar vendors to see if they might have them.

[MarcDeSoto]

Midwest Military sells the felt washers and retainers for military vehicles, but don't know if they would fit.  They don't give the size specs.

 

https://shop.midwestmilitary.com/product/brake-shoe-anchor-bolt-kit/

[TodFitch]

2 hours ago, MarcDeSoto said:

Midwest Military sells the felt washers and retainers for military vehicles, but don't know if they would fit.  They don't give the size specs.

 

https://shop.midwestmilitary.com/product/brake-shoe-anchor-bolt-kit/

That is hard to say without them listing the related Chrysler part numbers. That said, the parts look about right. But looking about right could still happen if they were a slightly different size.

 

Looking at my parts book, the "regular" Plymouths used one number for many years. But the 7 passenger (i.e. big) cars used a different number. I am not sure if your DeSoto would be using one or the other of those. If someone has a Power Wagon or even just a truck parts book and you have a DeSoto parts book maybe that could be narrowed down a bit.

[MarcDeSoto]

My DeSoto uses the same part numbers as Dodge, Plymouth, and I assume Chrysler over many years!  The oil felt washers are 1 13/16" OD, 13/16" I.D., 5/16" thick.  The cupped retainers would be the same.  I'll call Midwest Military on Monday to ask size specs.  Thanks.  

[JBNeal]

additional information - brake felt washer and retainer

[MarcDeSoto]

That looks right JB.  It says it is for 11" and 10" brakes.  My brake shoes are 11.5", so I assume they would be considered 11" brakes.  I think I will go ahead and order these.  It's odd that the only suppliers that carry these parts are Dodge truck and military vehicle dealers.

Thanks, Marc.

Edited February 6, 2022 by MarcDeSoto

[harmony]

18 hours ago, MarcDeSoto said:

Looking online, I found a store that sells the anchor bolt felt washers and retainers, but don't know if they would fit a 48 Desoto.  https://shop.midwestmilitary.com/product/washer-felt-oil/

 

I also saw that someone used battery terminal felt on his brakes.  He would have to oil them though.  

 

 

From my research, you'd only oil them if they were old and dried out, prior to greasing.  For new ones, you'd "impregnate" (is the word the manual uses)with grease.  Then remove any excess grease from them.  I used Lucas Red N Tacky grease because of it's heat resistance.  Once I worked the grease into the felts on both sides with a slot screwdriver or whatever, I wiped off the excess grease with a rag and then I sandwiched them with a paper towel several times.

Edited February 6, 2022 by harmony