Brakes questions
 

The first thing I need to do is rebuild my brake system, including converting to power brakes. I know the rears are shot, the left side was froze up and the right side has a leaky wheel cyl, but when I started to take apart the fronts, They seem like they are in pretty good shape:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...ndstuff006.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...ndstuff005.jpg

Now, I have all brand new stuff sitting on the shop floor that came off my Panel from when I converted to front disks, so I am going to use those, but my question is-Can the drums be turned while still riveted to the spindle? These drums are still riveted on, yet they don't really show much wear at all, no ridge, and they came right off without having to un-adjust them (I pulled spindle and all)

I figure since I'm in this far, I'll go ahead and change out the ball joints too, since they are still riveted on also and have never been changed.

Re: Brakes questions
 

I work at oreilly auto parts an i do those all day. It taked a little longer to setup and do but they can be done. Its alot easyer to take the drum off the hub andbring them in for the person to do them and if you do need new drums they are already off. but eather way thay can be done.

Re: Brakes questions
 

you didnt pull the spindle, the spindle is the shiny thing in the middle of your pictures:lol:

Re: Brakes questions
 

if it is rivited, then it is a quality vintage GM piece. They don't make them anymore, they don't even make quality replacement drums, just craptastic ones that you buy in a pre-warped state. They WILL warp in no time. Every time you turn a drum or a rotor, you are removing thousands of miles of use off them.
If they don't need turned, then don't turn them, and it sounds like yours are fine.

Re: Brakes questions
 

What is measured on drums-the inside diameter or the wall thickness? I will re-use these if I can, but I want to make sure they are not/have not been turned too much already.

Re: Brakes questions
 

drums have numbers cast right in them with the max allowable cut tolerance/ a brake place should have a drum caliper to measure for the tolerances

Re: Brakes questions
 

Thanks, cdowns. I'll have to check that out.