Yes, it does work rather well. I have the account for the local water department, and these guys are hard on their trucks, especially the brakes. They run Ford 1 tons, 4x4 and duallies, so the shoes can get pretty expensive. Saving them a bunch of money on a repair for a blown wheel cylinder keeps their fleet coming to me, and an account that size is good to have, especially in the winter. As you saw, you are just passing the flame over the shoes, not heating there to the point that would damage them. BTW, if you are looking at a fluid leak around a drum, and want to know if you have brake fluid or gear lube without pulling the wheels and drums, here's how you can tell. Put a clean pan under it, and spray it with a little water. If the water in your pan is cloudy, you've got brake fluid.