|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
12-14-2020, 05:32 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,068
|
Consensus on brake drums
All - just acquired a '30 Town Sedan that appears to be pretty darn close to 100% original (and regrettably it smells 90 years old too). 95K miles, haven't looked into the engine yet to see if it's been rebuilt oversize. But "original" means it has the steel brake drums.
What's the general consensus: can the supplemental support bands make the steel drums serviceable (it doesn't yet have them), or should the steel drums be replaced with cast iron? I'm leaning towards the latter. (It may be moot, I haven't pulled the drums to measure them yet.) My objective is to gradually go through it system by system to bring it up to top shape, rebuild the engine with B cam and 5.5 head, maybe put in an overdrive, then spend a happy retirement (yeah, when will that come) touring in it. Thanks. JayJay |
12-14-2020, 05:40 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,508
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
My preference is for the cast iron drums. The drum "band" IMO is a portion of the word 'band-aid'. There was a time when the bands were all we had, and they were way better than nothing. Now, with cast iron drums, braking efficiency is much better. If you can afford it, step up for the new cast drums.
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
12-14-2020, 09:19 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 1,578
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Give Randy a call, you can't go wrong.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291301 He provided new drums, new studs swedged to my old hubs, new lined shoes arced to each individual drum. He even replaced a bearing cup that he considered worn. .
__________________
Early '29 CCPU that had a 4-speed, but not any more.......in the family since '62 |
12-14-2020, 10:16 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 611
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
I agree...We put iron drums on Miss Princess 15 years ago and the old Tudor stops pretty well to this day...even when the breaks are used several times in a short period of time. Ernie in Arizona
|
12-14-2020, 10:51 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,045
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Agree. Don't screw around with bands or trying to refurb the steel drums. Go with cast iron and the go-to shop for those is Randy Gross.
|
12-14-2020, 10:55 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PASADENA, CA
Posts: 1,882
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
My opinion, Chris W. |
12-15-2020, 02:48 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,115
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
I had my brakes done by Randy Gross, Couldn't be happier with them.
__________________
Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club |
12-15-2020, 07:53 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central FL, USA
Posts: 1,137
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Bert's in Denver, Colorado, did my brakes (cast iron drums, new shoes/soft linings, shoes arched to drum, etc.) and I can't be happier!
Bob-A |
12-15-2020, 08:15 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,819
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
I wouldn’t use the bands if the drums are still good.
When we had our brake system completely rebuilt, the steel drums were still in good shape. Minor turning needed. Wheels lock up, car does not pull to one side, no noises. Have had many years of great service since. I guess it depends on how you are going to use your car. Steel or cast, once wheels lock up you can’t do more. I will say that if I had to rebuild again and the steel drums could not be reused. I would replace with new cast iron. Last edited by WHN; 12-15-2020 at 12:47 PM. |
12-15-2020, 08:19 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,898
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Cast iron drums are highly recommended for a car that is going to be driven. I read that Federal law allows only 0.060 inch wear or machining off the original ID. I also read that most steel drums are at the 0.100 inch stage, so scrap. The cast iron drums will not fade as much as the steel drums.
On a side note, I have been using an IR temperature sensing gun to measure the temperatures of the brake drums after a drive and using this information to adjust the brakes. So far it has taken me about 5 adjustments to get them where they are about even with the front brakes a little hotter.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
12-15-2020, 08:51 AM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,819
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Quote:
The drums need to have some meat left on them. If they do, and the system is properly rebuilt, I think you could be very happy with the outcome. |
|
12-15-2020, 08:55 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,463
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Go with cast iron drums.
__________________
Bob Bidonde |
12-15-2020, 09:33 AM | #13 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 88
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
The original steel drums were not but .140 - .144. from the factory. After 90 years of turning and returning finding steel drums that are still .120 or more is a VERY rare thing. Most are in the .080 to .100 range. My shop has a .120 limit - after the final return - or I will not reuse them. Even the .120 thick, after a couple of heat cycles of hard stopping they will be rewarped or oval shapes causing soft stopping or worse.
Your life of even more imortant your familys life depends on the brakes. Get the cast iron drums and if you are one of the lucky ones your hubs will still be good - new bearings of coarse. I have been using Mel's and Randy's drums for 12 years now. Good man to deal with. |
12-15-2020, 11:56 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lynden, Wa
Posts: 3,550
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
JAYJAY, I know a guy who sells them and will do studs and hubs as well. Shoot me a PM and I can get you in touch with him. He lives in Pleasant hill.
Mike p.s.-Welcome to the Barn. Pictures?
__________________
1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan |
12-15-2020, 12:07 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 601
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
I recently installed a pair of the cast iron hub/drum assembly from Bratton’s on the rear wheels of my roadster and got a noticeable improvement in braking. The old drums were original steel ones with about 90k miles on them. I plan to replace the original front hub/drums this spring.
|
12-15-2020, 01:12 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Washington
Posts: 175
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Cast iron for sure, has my vote. Ask Randy, and see what he recommends.
|
12-15-2020, 04:30 PM | #17 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 14
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
I got my drums from Randy Gross and they work great. I found out after installing them my 16" bent spoke wheels didn't seat properly on the drums. Randy suggested a slight grind on the inner wheel spoke welds should help instead of taking any off the drums. Steve at Berts suggested the same think and I've had no problems so far.
|
12-15-2020, 06:43 PM | #18 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Quote:
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. |
|
12-15-2020, 07:53 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,958
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
I have had all three. Cast iron with floating wedges is the way to go. In my case I had a more modern lining. Oh, and you have to go through everything to get the complete effect, no half-dos.
I love my cast iron brakes. |
12-15-2020, 09:46 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,068
|
Re: Consensus on brake drums
Fantastic input, folks. thanks a million. Turns out Randy Gross' shop is just a few hours very scenic drive for me, so I may pull the hubs and head on down. But in the meantime - windows! Please see my next question. I'm really not a total dork, I've been involved in Model As off and on since the late 1960s and have a couple of non-Model A restos under my belt also. But now I'm beginning to run up against a few things that are more nuanced, and this collective braintrust is invaluable.
Best wishes, and stay safe. JayJay |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|