Brake drums are designed to get hot- - - - -that's how they convert the energy you put into the vehicle to get it moving into heat that gets blown away by air passing over the drums. Unless the drums are changing color or you can smell hot brake linings, you're probably good to go. Make sure the adjustment is correct- - - -Bendix brakes need to be adjusted to get a firm drag when the tire and wheel is turned by hand (NOT locked up) and the adjusting star wheel is then backed off one full turn- - - -10 clicks on manual-adjust brakes, or 20 clicks on automatic adjusters. On automatics, release the one-way locking pawl by pushing it away from the star wheel with a small punch or screw driver.
A stop from 60 MPH of an average size vehicle dissipates enough heat to MELT a 9 inch cast iron skillet!
Jerry
