Would you reuse this rear brake drum?

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NickZ

NickZ

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I took the rear brake assembly off my 1972 Interstate because although it seems work, it was making a squeaking sound on application of the brake, and because I noticed that as I lightly applied the brake it would grab unevenly. Meaning that as I rotate the rear wheel while lightly pushing on the brake pedal, I can feel friction for part of the wheel revolution and no friction for the rest.

Upon examination, the drum appears to have a light diagonal scoring (it doesn't catch a finger nail, though) and what appears to be some cracks.
Would you reuse this rear brake drum?

Everything else appears normal. There is about 0.090" of lining above the rivets on the shoes.

Does anyone know if this brake drum is totally trashed, or can it be salvaged?
 
If there's cracks leave it off and buy another. I do many questionable things, but running on a cracked drum isn't one.
 
The teeth look a bit rounded, but the picture isn't specific. I agree that a replacement be considered if the is any possibility of cracking. Do see if you can get a finger on the counter sprocket and check for similar ware and for looseness. Counter sprockets are harder than the rear, but not immune to ware.

Steel yourself; as a proper repair means both sprockets, a chain and new brake shoes, never mind the labor and adjustments that may be required to align a new drum/sprocket with the countershaft sprocket...

Best.
 
not sure if you can or not but maybe if you could turn it in a lathe and see more detail about those cracks, that might help you make a decision.
 
I’d definitely replace that, primarily due to the cracks.
Dave
 
Any sign of cracks and I'd replace it
If you hang it on a wire and ring it you'll know straight away
Can't really tell if teeth are worn from this angle
 
It sounds like you're describing a drum which has gone oval?
The diagonal line looks like a tool return groove, the cracks look a lot like cracks!
Replacement is not expensive and it may be worth investigating if it's been binding in the past - it doesn't look to have done a huge mileage, but it's had a hard life from what I can see.
 
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Missed the cracks on the tablet, they show on the PC screen, but I doubt they are cracks but are more likely to be casting anomalies from shrinkage. Its a cast steel drum not cast iron but some of the pattern parts from India are cast iron.
 
Thanks for all the input.
DevonNorton said:
Personally I'd be just as worried about the state of those 'sprocket teeth'.
Looks like a replacement would be a good idea!
Andy
Click to expand...
Here is a better photo of the sprocket teeth. The other photo was angled to show the inside of the drum.
Would you reuse this rear brake drum?
Do you still have the same concern with the teeth?
 
I have a spare used brake assembly and can either use its drum as a replacement with the existing brake plate & shoes or replace both the drum and plate.
 
baz said:
Any sign of cracks and I'd replace it
If you hang it on a wire and ring it you'll know straight away
Can't really tell if teeth are worn from this angle
Click to expand...
Do you think that test will be valid if the dummy axel & bearing etc is still installed? And what should I expect to hear if it is cracked?
 
alan hodge said:
how many $$ your life worth?
Click to expand...
Not completely sure what you are getting at, but I am replacing the drum that appears to be cracked. The question about sprocket teeth was more referenced to the replacement drum, which has similar teeth.
 
NickZ said:
Do you think that test will be valid if the dummy axel & bearing etc is still installed? And what should I expect to hear if it is cracked?
Click to expand...
No you'd have to remove the spindle and bearing
I'd expect to hear a high pitched ring that slowly stops from it when struck , anything dull like a donk kind of noise that stops immediately it's cracked
But visual inspection with a decent magnifier first
Has anyone on here had one crack? Or disintegrate ? I've never heard or seen it! Not saying it can't happen?
 
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