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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Brake Drums

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Brake Drums -- page: 1 2 3     dansford 12-06-2010 @ 7:59 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 75 Joined: Oct 2009 My brake drums must have some high spots on them when I rotate the jacked up tire I can here it hitting the high spots, is it possible to just remove the high spots without takeing too much meat off the drum? Thanks dansford Old Henry 12-06-2010 @ 9:16 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 738 Joined: Apr 2010 Even my brake drums that have just been turned touch the shoes some places before others. I think that's normal. If in doubt, have the drums turned. You might have to look a while to find a shop that can do it but they're around. Some shop's equipment can't mount our old drum configurations. Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.) kubes40 12-06-2010 @ 9:22 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3394 Joined: Oct 2009 The first thing I'd do is see if the drums are actually the cause of this. Very likely the shoes are the culprit. supereal 12-06-2010 @ 11:12 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 As Mike says,it isn't unusual to find the linings are at fault. It is also possible if the brake shoe springs were not replaced when the linings were renewed. If the shop that last turned the drums has a drum lathe with a drive spindle with too much runout, the cut will be off center, or if they didn't use an anti vibration belt, the cut can be poor. On old cars, driving will often reduce or eliminate the problem as the linings wear in. This message was edited by supereal on 12-7-10 @ 10:21 AM dansford 12-06-2010 @ 12:56 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 75 Joined: Oct 2009 Perhaps I will resurface only one brake drun now and see if there is any improvement before I do the rest,I will pick the one that rubs the most,any other comments? Thanks for all your help.dansford Stroker 12-06-2010 @ 1:47 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 I hate to suggest anything but erring on the "safe side" when it comes to brakes, but unless you are noticing some "pulsing" in the pedal (I assume you are running the stock mechanicals), I wouldn't be overly concerned with a minor (emphasis on "minor"),tight spot when turning a jacked-up wheel. I believe you should pull one of the offending drums, and at least observe the condition of the drum and shoes. A real bad "high spot" will often show discoloration and/or fine cracks from the localized heat, much like a flywheel, or warped brake rotor will. You might also try turning the jacked-up wheel after driving the car, and warming up the brakes, as a warm drum may aggravate or eliminate the symptom, which is usually caused by the drum becoming slightly "egg-shaped" through many heating/cooling cycles. Generally, this manifests itself as two tight spots about 180 degrees apart. Stroker 12-06-2010 @ 2:58 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 A question that relates to dansford's concerns: Does anyone make a reproduction 36-39 front or rear brake drum? I've looked at the usual sources, and see the smaller bolt circle parts available, but I've never seen any reproduction "wide-fives". Fortunately, I have a few spares for my 38, but at some point, it would be nice to know that my old, paper-thin drums are being reproduced. The last time I did my brakes, I had to bribe our local machine shop to let me take their shoe-arc'ing grinder home, as they refused to arc shoes due to OSHA regs. There's only so much iron in these old drums, so anyone contemplating having them turned may have to haunt the swap meets to find a decent set with enough meat left to safely turn them. 37RAGTOPMAN 12-06-2010 @ 4:45 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 make sure the wheel bearing's are ajusted properly.after that, I would drive the car and use the brakes and then after it still rubs in certain spots try cutting the drums, almost every car has a spot were the drum hits the shoe,you never said is it front or rear,its only a few thousands, check the drums were it hits. are the brakes locking up ? or pulsate when applying the brakes, if the pedal does not pulsate your brakes are most likely normal pull the wheels and just check them, if you cut to much off the drums ,remember the thinner the drums the more likely they will warp again,you then will have to buy new ones, hope this helps, 37RAGTOPMAN ford38v8 12-06-2010 @ 5:29 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2758 Joined: Oct 2009 Dansford, you didn't say whether you have the wide 5's or not, but as everyone else assumes you have, I'll put in my 2¢ worth on that: Wide 5's will distort very easily if you don't install them correctly. Tighten every other lug nut a small amount at a time till they are all properly tightened. There could still be an off center condition due to the grinding operation, but that's the best you can do. It should never in any case be so bad that it can be felt at the pedal. Alan dansford 12-06-2010 @ 7:15 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 75 Joined: Oct 2009 Thanks again for the help it's the rears that are rubing I pulled both hubs in the rear and things looked good the shoes are in good condition and there were no marks on the drums that I could see where the shoes made contact with the drums, the brakes do not pulsate and it's the stock wide 5 patern wheels on a 36Ford.I may be making a big deal out of nothing. The brakes work very well,I will leave things as they are.Thank you. dansford

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