Brake Drums - Advice Regarding Their Use

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

Following what another member of this forum did, I bought two rear brake arms and replaced the two fronts on my Coupe with the taller rears. I haven't tried to see how much better they are with a bunch of panic stops on rain slick fresh asphalt, but just ordinary everyday driving I have to admit the brakes do a better job of stopping the car and the few times I have hit them rather hard, the car slowed in a straight line, unlike the thrill that used to produce. so I'm inclined to think the stronger stopping power to the front is a good thing on my Coupe. Your results may vary. Not for Shw cars.

Davey, I'm glad you like the improvement.

[daveymc29]

Synchro Yes, and it isn't all that hard to do' I bought two bushings from a local hardware store to fill in the gap between the size of the front shafts and the rears. It was bronze and I did spin it and nearly broke a thumb, but I learned a little more attention to my work and a few drops of oil made for a safer hole drilling experience. Everything else was pretty straight forward and the outcome proved better than I had expected.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

Synchro Yes, and it isn't all that hard to do' I bought two bushings from a local hardware store to fill in the gap between the size of the front shafts and the rears. It was bronze and I did spin it and nearly broke a thumb, but I learned a little more attention to my work and a few drops of oil made for a safer hole drilling experience. Everything else was pretty straight forward and the outcome proved better than I had expected.

The idea of that change is to move the bias as much as possible towards the front wheels. It is only one of several changes I make. So far, I haven't locked either front nor back wheels since doing it. I figure I have the balance just about right.

[meteorpete]

How can you tell the difference visually between an original steel drum and a cast drum? When were cast drums first available? Thanks

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by meteorpete

How can you tell the difference visually between an original steel drum and a cast drum? When were cast drums first available? Thanks

If you look at the drums from the wheel side, steel ones have a rolled lip that looks hollow around the outside edge. The cats ones vary a bit but they all have a solid ring around the outside edge. You can tell the difference very easily.
Cast drums have been around for many years now - I don't know when the first ones appeared but our club was making them ....maybe 30 years ago.

[meteorpete]

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Originally Posted by Synchro909

If you look at the drums from the wheel side, steel ones have a rolled lip that looks hollow around the outside edge. The cats ones vary a bit but they all have a solid ring around the outside edge. You can tell the difference very easily.
Cast drums have been around for many years now - I don't know when the first ones appeared but our club was making them ....maybe 30 years ago.

Great - thanks for the info!

Pete