Turning Wire Wheel Brake Drums on an Improved Car

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Mark Nunn
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
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Turning Wire Wheel Brake Drums on an Improved Car

Post by Mark Nunn » Wed Jan 22, 2020 1:43 pm

I have not found a reference for how far the contact surfaces of these drums can be machined. Mine are a little pitted but are, otherwise, in very good shape. Most of my local shops will not touch them. But I did find someone who will turn them if I can provide a maximum diameter. Since these are parking brakes, I don’t know if this dimension is critical other than to safeguard the integrity of the drum.


Scott_Conger
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Re: Turning Wire Wheel Brake Drums on an Improved Car

Post by Scott_Conger » Wed Jan 22, 2020 1:56 pm

Any material removal will make them even more ineffective in panic use, and gain nothing in parking use other than to make the shoes have to expand even further to contact the drum, using precious cam availability. My opinion is there is nothing good to be gained by doing it and nothing bad in leaving them alone.
Scott Conger

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Allan
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: Turning Wire Wheel Brake Drums on an Improved Car

Post by Allan » Wed Jan 22, 2020 4:38 pm

I am with Scott on this one. They are made of pressed steel and are quite thin when compared with usual cast iron drums. There is room to machine worn cast drums but even these have limitations.

Allan from down under.


dmdeaton
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Re: Turning Wire Wheel Brake Drums on an Improved Car

Post by dmdeaton » Wed Jan 22, 2020 6:49 pm

I agree, just clean the rust up and use as is. Drums are fairly cheap new or to find good used ones.

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