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| | | Forums66 Topics128,107 Posts1,056,225 Members48,436 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 113 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 113 | I believe my brake drums are out of round because I cannot get consistent adjustment. I will work to get them adjusted then rotate the wheel and it is very loose. Anyway, I spent yesterday morning going to about 4 places around here that service trucks. none could turn the drums I have. they said we could potentially order more but would have to remove it to get model or casting information. For what its worth, the truck is running and stopping ok I am just wondering what others here have done with their drums. GJ
1959 Chevy 8500 - Spartan 80 366 BBC
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | New ones are likely going to be difficult to find. Turning drums is an option, but then you really should have oversize linings. I still have a lathe big enough to turn 16 1/2" drums but I don't use it any more. The modern non asbestos linings cause hot spots on the drums that won't cut. If it is stopping ok, I would leave it alone. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 | I assume you're working with something bigger than a pickup, right? You might be experiencing a situation where the shoe isn't concentric with the drum once the adjuster is loosened. On medium-duty truck brakes with the Lockheed cam-type adjusters it was not uncommon to get a little drag after tightening the adjuster to achieve drum lockup and backing off to let it turn. The problem was that the shoe didn't retract evenly and gave the impression of the drum being out of round. If the pedal height is good and the drums don't heat up after driving for a while, you're probably good to go. I assume you're not hauling max loads routinely, right? If so, you'll need to back off the adjusters a little more than usual to allow for expansion of the brake shoes when they get hot from heavy braking. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 113 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 113 | i drove it around 30 miles yesterday. I should have felt the drums to see it they were hot. I do have good pedal and it stops fine. I need to replace the shoe linings on the driver side as they were soaked in differential oil when I got it due to a bad seal. other than that I think its ok. Crenwelge, can you tell me more about oversized linings.
oh and yes this this is larger than a pickup. It is an 8000 series truck carrying zero load right now.
1959 Chevy 8500 - Spartan 80 366 BBC
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