Hubs for new cast drums
 

I want to put the new cast drums on my car. I read the article in the Jul/Aug issue of the restorer on inspecting the hubs and also have seen new ductile hubs listed for sale. Is it better to find a good set of original hubs or purchase the new ductile steel hubs? Are the new hubs stronger/better?

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

Are your hubs damaged? If not use them as original stuff seems always better. Take your parts to a good brake shop that does trucks and have them install and true the drums. have them arc the shoes/linings.

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

I think I would buy hub/drum assemblies from someone like Randy Gross. If you put your general location in your profile maybe someone could recommend a local source.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

x2 for Randy Gross

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

Contact info for Randy? Email?Bill

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

Randy’s brake products are excellent and many here have used them. I just bought new drums and hubs last month from him, along with new shoes and linings.....

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

Randy Gross:

Outstanding person to do business with.
Randy's Cell: 714-292-8660

Tom Endy

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

The freight is a little rough, but when I did my brakes, I just sent the drums and shoes to Randy. When I got them back that were ready to go. He also installed new studs, which are needed for the thicker drums.

Lightning fast turn around and best prices anywhere.

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

One of my hubs had welded studs. I had Randy replace it with an original when he installed new cast iron drums on my hubs, provided me with serviceable rear wheel bearings and bonded linings on my shoes. Couldn’t be happier with his excellent service and quick response. The installation was a no brainer because everything came ready to install.

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

Thanks for the responses. First of all, I want to continue driving my car so I need to use different hubs. One of our club members just install his cast drums which he got from Randy Gross (and HIGHLY recommends him). So I want to know if the strength and quality of the new "ductile steel hubs" is equal to or better than the originals.

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

Why don't you call Randy and ask. I am sure with all the brake work he does on Model A's he would be a good resource for the answer. I can attest to the quality of his work also..

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

If you original hubs are still good. Use them. The rear hubs often have problems with the bearing surfaces being worn out. Just went to all cast iron drums on our 1929 Tudor, and it was a great improvement. I used all of my original hubs. The stud removal/installation and hub flange turning was done by a local machine shop.

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

It is a common refrain here to use original parts because they are better than the repros and that is often true. The rear hubs may be an exception to that. The originals ALWAYS wear through the hardening at the outside end (nearest the axle taper). That is because Henry's hardening process didn't work very well and the hardening in there wasn't as good as out near the circlip. That is easy to see if you check the hardness of the end of the bearing area - the bit square to the axle. It is quite soft, meaning that the hardening process had little or no affect in there. I am in the process at this very time of scrapping Henry's setup and using modern bearings which will be MUCH harder than what Henry did.Modifications are few and easily reversed with the use of the repair kits available (which I also won't use because they are no better than Henry's poor quality in this item and likely worse.)
IMO, the OP should buy new hubs and if his Trumpet ends are OK, assemble with a decent set of original rollers. They will last for many years with the little use most of us give their cars. I drive the wheels off mine. As for the supplier of the hubs and drums, I agree with those who say Randy Gross is the way to go.

Re: Hubs for new cast drums
 

I sent everything from the backing plates out to Randy Gross. What I got back looked like Brand New stuff.

If you are worried about time, Dont! My new stuff was back to me in about a week or 10 days MAX. That's from the time I shipped them off till I got them back.