Replace 1 Rear brake drum? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Alberta Newbie · 09-13-2007, 10:14 AM

Hello all,

I recently bought a 69 GMC and noticed that a PO must have lost the rear driver's side tire on the highway, as the bottom of the brake drum is worn away (I'd say 2"!!!) as well as the U-bolt below the nut. Guess that explains the single new tire!

My question is, should I just replace the 1 drum, assuming I buy used? Are the front drums inter-changable with the back (i.e. is this a good time to put discs on the front)?

Longhorn Man · 09-13-2007, 10:32 AM

what is the truck, 1/2 ton? 3/4 ton? 2 wheel drive, 4X4?

Alberta Newbie · 09-13-2007, 10:43 AM

Opps, 1/2 ton, 2 wheel drive. Looks like it's been that way for a while, the brake line is terminated, and it's got some rust on the bottom of the drum.

Longhorn Man · 09-13-2007, 11:16 AM

the drums are the same front and rear.
the drums are avalible at the parts store for about 25 bucks each
I would still recomend old one, the ones I mentioned above totally suck, no hole to adjust the shoes from, no lip for the spring that wraps around it, they warp easy... that's my observations anyways.

67ChevyRedneck · 09-13-2007, 11:17 AM

^Andy, what's the wrap around spring for, never figured that one out...

Isn't the adjustment hole on the backing plate?

Alberta Newbie · 09-13-2007, 11:25 AM

Off to post a WTB

Longhorn Man · 09-13-2007, 11:54 AM

the hole is in the drum, 71 and 72 may be in the backing plate, I'm not sure.
There's 2 reasons for the spring as described on here... I personally only believe one of them;
1 to help disapate heat.
2 to reduce the ringing noise sometimes heard on these trucks when the spring is missing.

Interestingly enough, the WTH is this spring for was my very first thread I ever started.

kyull67 · 09-13-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the hole is in the drum, 71 and 72 may be in the backing plate, I'm not sure.
There's 2 reasons for the spring as described on here... I personally only believe one of them;
1 to help disapate heat.
2 to reduce the ringing noise sometimes heard on these trucks when the spring is missing.

Interestingly enough, the WTH is this spring for was my very first thread I ever started.

Now I know! Thanks.

Sinister · 09-13-2007, 12:18 PM

It's a good idea to replace brake drums/parts in pairs to prevent pulling to one side when the brakes are applied...

Alberta Newbie · 09-13-2007, 01:03 PM

Thanks Sinister. I guess it would be best to get them machined then, if new ones are not as good (aka "totally suck"

)?

67ChevyRedneck · 09-13-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the hole is in the drum, 71 and 72 may be in the backing plate, I'm not sure.
There's 2 reasons for the spring as described on here... I personally only believe one of them;
1 to help disapate heat.
2 to reduce the ringing noise sometimes heard on these trucks when the spring is missing.

Interestingly enough, the WTH is this spring for was my very first thread I ever started.

Never knew that. Interesting.

Thanks

09-13-2007, 10:14 AM	#1
Alberta Newbie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 99	Replace 1 Rear brake drum? Hello all, I recently bought a 69 GMC and noticed that a PO must have lost the rear driver's side tire on the highway, as the bottom of the brake drum is worn away (I'd say 2"!!!) as well as the U-bolt below the nut. Guess that explains the single new tire! My question is, should I just replace the 1 drum, assuming I buy used? Are the front drums inter-changable with the back (i.e. is this a good time to put discs on the front)? Last edited by Alberta Newbie; 09-13-2007 at 10:15 AM. Reason: readability

09-13-2007, 10:32 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? what is the truck, 1/2 ton? 3/4 ton? 2 wheel drive, 4X4?

09-13-2007, 10:43 AM	#3
Alberta Newbie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 99	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? Opps, 1/2 ton, 2 wheel drive. Looks like it's been that way for a while, the brake line is terminated, and it's got some rust on the bottom of the drum.

09-13-2007, 11:16 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? the drums are the same front and rear. the drums are avalible at the parts store for about 25 bucks each I would still recomend old one, the ones I mentioned above totally suck, no hole to adjust the shoes from, no lip for the spring that wraps around it, they warp easy... that's my observations anyways.

09-13-2007, 11:17 AM	#5
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? ^Andy, what's the wrap around spring for, never figured that one out... Isn't the adjustment hole on the backing plate? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 09-13-2007 at 11:20 AM.

09-13-2007, 11:25 AM	#6
Alberta Newbie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 99	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? Off to post a WTB

09-13-2007, 11:54 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? the hole is in the drum, 71 and 72 may be in the backing plate, I'm not sure. There's 2 reasons for the spring as described on here... I personally only believe one of them; 1 to help disapate heat. 2 to reduce the ringing noise sometimes heard on these trucks when the spring is missing. Interestingly enough, the WTH is this spring for was my very first thread I ever started.

09-13-2007, 12:18 PM	#9
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? It's a good idea to replace brake drums/parts in pairs to prevent pulling to one side when the brakes are applied... __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

09-13-2007, 01:03 PM	#10
Alberta Newbie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 99	Re: Replace 1 Rear brake drum? Thanks Sinister. I guess it would be best to get them machined then, if new ones are not as good (aka "totally suck" )?

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