rear drums hard to get on and..........
 

After assembling new cast iron drums on the original hubs, having them turned and installing, the fronts went on like a dream. The right rear a little snug but it would still turn. The left rear would not go on all the way by hand nor turn.

After further examination it was discovered that there was a shim of what appeared to be gasket material between the metal shoe and the lining. The rivets were barely hanging onto the metal shoe. Once removed and linings reinstalled, the drum slid on with no problem and a click or two of the adjuster was enough to set it right.

Shimming would have been done prior to 1968 (can't wait to ask Daddy about that!) and I assume it was done to enable use of a drum that was turned beyond it's normal limit.

Just wondering if others had found similar in their brake rebuilding. In watch repair we call that skullduggery.

Re: rear drums hard to get on and..........
 

I have not seen this, but it sounds like a good ole fashion farmer fix.

Re: rear drums hard to get on and..........
 

that was pretty common years ago. and you are correct. when you turn the drums way oversize, (to which on Model A steel drums that is NOT a good idea) they made up the thickness of the shoes by adding paper shim shock under the lining. and a lot of times the paper was made out of asbestos material. we use to do that on our semi trailers when the drums were wore out,