Patent ID: 7040151

Claim:
A method of utilizing a measurement gauge for use with brakes comprising: providing a gauge having a shank connected to a first end, said first end having a toe extending a first predetermined distance from a back, a recess intermediate the first end and the shank, said recess having an interior surface spaced from the toe by a predetermined-recess distance; applying brakes on a vehicle having a brake shoe table connected to at least one brake lining which act on a brake drum; measuring brake lining wear by inserting the first end with one of the back of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied and inserting the toe of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied, and if the gauge passes between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that at least the first predetermined distance exists as a thickness of the at least one brake lining, and if the gauge sticks or does not pass between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that the first predetermined distance does not exist as a thickness of the at least one brake lining; and measuring brake drum wear by performing the steps of inserting the recess over a ridge of the brake drum; and with the toe contacting the brake drum where the lining contacts the brake drum when the brakes are applied, examining to see if the interior surface of the recess contacts the ridge, if the ridge contacts the interior surface then indicating that brake drum wear exceeds a maximum allowable wear, but if the ridge does not contact the interior surface of the recess, then indicating that brake drum wear does not exceed the maximum allowable wear.