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Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235588] Thu, 09 January 2014 10:29 Go to next message
An87ttype is currently offline  An87ttype   United States
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Is there a spec for how much the drums can be cut? Mine are a little out of round and I'm hoping they can just be resurfaced. I have not found any measuments or whether or not it should be attempted. Thanks all...

1975 Eleganza II Hudson Valley NY
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235591 is a reply to message #235588] Thu, 09 January 2014 10:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Factory Drums all have a cast in place maximum allowable diameter spec
somewhere on the outer surface of the drum. I have seen aftermarket drums
that did not have that. The service manual for your model is often times
the best source for this information. If you do not have one, and you own
and maintain your coach yourself, you should have the correct manuals. Some
of our vendors have manuals on DVD or similar format at very reasonable
prices. I don't have the links with me right now. How about Rob or bdub?
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403
On Jan 9, 2014 8:29 AM, "Daryn" <An87ttype@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> Is there a spec for how much the drums can be cut? Mine are a little out
> of round and I'm hoping they can just be resurfaced. I have not found any
> measuments or whether or not it should be attempted. Thanks all...
> --
> 1975 Eleganza II
> Hudson Valley NY
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Re: Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235598 is a reply to message #235588] Thu, 09 January 2014 11:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
An87ttype is currently offline  An87ttype   United States
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Found it. The max turning diameter is 11.060. Max discard 11.090

1975 Eleganza II Hudson Valley NY
Re: Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235600 is a reply to message #235598] Thu, 09 January 2014 11:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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An87ttype wrote on Thu, 09 January 2014 11:20

Found it. The max turning diameter is 11.060. Max discard 11.090

I don't know what the Max "out of round" should be (ideal is perfectly round) but I'd be inclined not to turn them if you don't have to. They are a rare bird and expensive to replace. I know that some would not approve of this but when I did my brakes, I roughed up the surface of the drums good with a 40 grit emery cloth...or the roughest I could find, to assist the new shoes in break-in. That worked for me.
Just what I did. Your milage may vary.


Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235605 is a reply to message #235600] Thu, 09 January 2014 11:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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I only have them turned if they are out of round. If scoring is light and
circumferential, I rough them up with 60 grit, clean the heck out of them
with brake kleen, and dry rags. If scoring is deep, like from a broken
brake spring or rivets, only cure for that is replacement. I keep the same
diameter drums in pairs across the coach, not the same side. Just what I
do. Brakes are nothing to "CHEAP OUT" on. Fix them right, your life or
someone else's might well depend on it.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403
On Jan 9, 2014 9:36 AM, "Larry" <weidnerl@wwt.net> wrote:

>
>
> An87ttype wrote on Thu, 09 January 2014 11:20
> > Found it. The max turning diameter is 11.060. Max discard 11.090
>
> I don't know what the Max "out of round" should be (ideal is perfectly
> round) but I'd be inclined not to turn them if you don't have to. They are
> a rare bird and expensive to replace. I know that some would not approve
> of this but when I did my brakes, I roughed up the surface of the drums
> good with a 40 grit emery cloth...or the roughest I could find, to assist
> the new shoes in break-in. That worked for me.
> Just what I did. Your milage may vary.
> --
> Larry :)
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
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Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235610 is a reply to message #235605] Thu, 09 January 2014 12:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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James Hupy wrote on Thu, 09 January 2014 11:46

I only have them turned if they are out of round. If scoring is light and
circumferential, I rough them up with 60 grit, clean the heck out of them
with brake kleen, and dry rags. If scoring is deep, like from a broken
brake spring or rivets, only cure for that is replacement. I keep the same
diameter drums in pairs across the coach, not the same side. Just what I
do. Brakes are nothing to "CHEAP OUT" on. Fix them right, your life or
someone else's might well depend on it.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403


Yup, pretty much the way I handle it. Had not thought of " I keep the same
diameter drums in pairs across the coach, not the same side." but good suggestion.


Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235639 is a reply to message #235605] Thu, 09 January 2014 17:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Jim,

I wonder it there are any shops out there that re-arc new shoes to match the turned drums?

I dated myself with that question didn't I? ;-)

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia

-----Original Message-----
From: James Hupy

I only have them turned if they are out of round. If scoring is light and
circumferential, I rough them up with 60 grit, clean the heck out of them
with brake kleen, and dry rags. If scoring is deep, like from a broken
brake spring or rivets, only cure for that is replacement. I keep the same
diameter drums in pairs across the coach, not the same side. Just what I
do. Brakes are nothing to "CHEAP OUT" on. Fix them right, your life or
someone else's might well depend on it.
Jim


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235642 is a reply to message #235639] Thu, 09 January 2014 17:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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I know of one in my area. Salem Brake and Wheel. They won't touch asbestos
lining today though. Back before we knew better, they ground and arced the
stuff in the open air frequently. Son in law has the place now. His wife's
dad is my age. Ground the stuff without respirators for 35 years or so.
Mettalics & Ceramics too. Sure wouldn't do that myself. All environment
enclosed with hepa filtered air now.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403
On Jan 9, 2014 3:21 PM, "Robert Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:

> Jim,
>
> I wonder it there are any shops out there that re-arc new shoes to match
> the turned drums?
>
> I dated myself with that question didn't I? ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Hupy
>
> I only have them turned if they are out of round. If scoring is light and
> circumferential, I rough them up with 60 grit, clean the heck out of them
> with brake kleen, and dry rags. If scoring is deep, like from a broken
> brake spring or rivets, only cure for that is replacement. I keep the same
> diameter drums in pairs across the coach, not the same side. Just what I
> do. Brakes are nothing to "CHEAP OUT" on. Fix them right, your life or
> someone else's might well depend on it.
> Jim
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235653 is a reply to message #235642] Thu, 09 January 2014 18:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Berry is currently offline  Gary Berry   United States
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Bert and Fay had a problem a number of years ago with drum brakes and not
arcing the shoes. It caused them a ton of consternation while on a trip.
The outcome was to have them arced. Maybe they will post about that
experience once again for some of the young folks here...

--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa
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Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235657 is a reply to message #235653] Thu, 09 January 2014 19:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Back in the era of drum brakes, it was very common to be able to purchase
extra thick riveted on brake lining. A competent brake repair business
would drill out the rivets on your old linings, clean up your existing
shoes, and rivet on oversized linings. Then after the drums had been turned
to remove the out of round or scoring or glazed hard spots in the them, a
careful measurement would give them the outside diameter of the finished
linings. After chamfering the appropriate ends of the new linings and
grinding them to fit the drums, you could reassemble the brakes. This
produced a very good stopping system for the day. No comparison to a good 4
wheel disc ABS system of today though. There is one very lucky aussie
shepherd alive today because I was able to stop in time yesterday with my
PT Cruiser on the way back from a lab test. Good brakes are the most
necessary mechanical system on a GMC.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403


On Thu, Jan 9, 2014 at 4:57 PM, Gary Berry <duallycc@gmail.com> wrote:

> Bert and Fay had a problem a number of years ago with drum brakes and not
> arcing the shoes. It caused them a ton of consternation while on a trip.
> The outcome was to have them arced. Maybe they will post about that
> experience once again for some of the young folks here...
>
> --
> Gary and Diana Berry
> 73 CL Stretch in Wa
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235663 is a reply to message #235657] Thu, 09 January 2014 20:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Jim,

AMEN!!!

I reckon followed by:

Steering
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension

Note: I consider wheels and tires part of the suspension.

Regards,
Rob M.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: James Hupy

Good brakes are the most necessary mechanical system on a GMC.
Jim Hupy

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235665 is a reply to message #235639] Thu, 09 January 2014 20:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Robert Mueller wrote on Thu, 09 January 2014 17:21

Jim,

I wonder it there are any shops out there that re-arc new shoes to match the turned drums?

I dated myself with that question didn't I? Wink

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia



Yes you did.
But that is OK because I learn a lot from you old guys.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235674 is a reply to message #235639] Thu, 09 January 2014 20:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
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Robert Mueller wrote on Thu, 09 January 2014 15:21

Jim,

I wonder it there are any shops out there that re-arc new shoes to match the turned drums?

I dated myself with that question didn't I? Wink

Regards,
Rob M.




My experience with cars was if you buy cheap shoes the lining is thin and it is a poor fit in the drum. If you buy premium shoes the lining is much thicker and it is a much better fit in the drum. We are talking well used drums here.


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235711 is a reply to message #235588] Fri, 10 January 2014 09:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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If you had your own brake lathe, you could cut as little as possible to get them round and then remeasure. Then is a keep or toss. Trying to tell a guy to cut as little as possible is tough as they usually wait on another customer while the lathe is doing it's thing. Hard to put the shavings back on. I have a spin balancer but a used tire machine and lathe are on the eBay wish list to keep it in house.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235723 is a reply to message #235711] Fri, 10 January 2014 14:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Get a machinists lathe with a tool post, and take your discs/drums down with a tool post grinder rather than a tipped cutter.  It will surprise you how much smoother the brake action is.  We had one at Mac's which was actually used to ream the bushings on Lycoming flat motor crankshaft weights.  Worked gret on the race car and race bikes as well as our drivers.

--johnny
 




________________________________
From: John R. Lebetski <gransport@aol.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums




If you had your own brake lathe, you could cut as little as possible to get them round and then remeasure.  Then is a keep or toss. Trying to tell a guy to cut as little as possible is tough as they usually wait on another customer while the lathe is doing it's thing. Hard to put the shavings back on. I have a spin balancer but a used tire machine and lathe are on the eBay wish list to keep it in house. 
--
John Lebetski
Chicago, IL
77 Eleganza II
Source America First

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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235758 is a reply to message #235674] Fri, 10 January 2014 19:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Even if you find someone who'll turn drums beyond the specified maximum
diameter, DON'T DO IT. My second car, a '39 Olds, in 1954, taught me that:
Before my Dad would let me drive it, he insisted that all the safety items
be rebuild, including having the drums turned and the new shoes arced.
Naturally, at 17, every stop sign was a challenge -- how close can you get
before stomping on the brakes and still stop before you get into the cross
street? About the 10th stop after the brakes were finished, My stop wasn't
-- and there was a city bus in the intersection ahead of me. SOMEHOW, I
managed to turn the corner instead of T-boning the bus; tire sidewalls
scuffing against the unoccupied curb was all that stopped me without
encountering something harder.

One of the drums was in two pieces: The solid face and the ring which had
separated from that and split axially. I don't know whether there was a
requirement for max. diameter specs in those days, but if there was, the
machine shop ignored it: There was just not enough metal left to withstand
teenage enthusiasm.

You probably would not be as lucky with a GMC.

JMHO,

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com


On Thu, Jan 9, 2014 at 9:46 PM, <roy@gmcnet.org> wrote:

>
>
> Robert Mueller wrote on Thu, 09 January 2014 15:21
> > Jim,
> >
> > I wonder it there are any shops out there that re-arc new shoes to match
> the turned drums?
> >
> > I dated myself with that question didn't I? ;)
> >
> > Regards,
> > Rob M.
>
> My experience with cars was if you buy cheap shoes the lining is thin and
> it is a poor fit in the drum. If you buy premium shoes the lining is much
> thicker and it is a much better fit in the drum. We are talking well used
> drums here.
> --
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235764 is a reply to message #235653] Fri, 10 January 2014 21:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
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Gary
You have a good memory. That was almost 12 years ago. That was way back in the Fall of 2002 at our GMCWS rally in Cody, WY.
A few of us spent several hours working on their brakes It was initially felt that it must be the master cylinder. It was only later that we found out from them what the problem really was.

Emery Stora

On Jan 9, 2014, at 5:57 PM, Gary Berry <duallycc@gmail.com> wrote:

> Bert and Fay had a problem a number of years ago with drum brakes and not
> arcing the shoes. It caused them a ton of consternation while on a trip.
> The outcome was to have them arced. Maybe they will post about that
> experience once again for some of the young folks here...
>
> --
> Gary and Diana Berry
> 73 CL Stretch in Wa
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: [GMCnet] Turning/resurfacing the rear drums [message #235788 is a reply to message #235764] Sat, 11 January 2014 06:29 Go to previous message
Burt and Faye curtis is currently offline  Burt and Faye curtis   United States
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Senior Member
Gary, and others,

you can still read about our saga by going to
gmcws.org/newsletter/index.html and then hitting on the Feb 2003
newsletter.
Bert and Fay (who is totally convinced about the importance of arcing brake
shoes now for our GMC)




On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 7:06 PM, Emery Stora <emerystora@mac.com> wrote:

> Gary
> You have a good memory. That was almost 12 years ago. That was way back
> in the Fall of 2002 at our GMCWS rally in Cody, WY.
> A few of us spent several hours working on their brakes It was initially
> felt that it must be the master cylinder. It was only later that we found
> out from them what the problem really was.
>
> Emery Stora
>
> On Jan 9, 2014, at 5:57 PM, Gary Berry <duallycc@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Bert and Fay had a problem a number of years ago with drum brakes and not
> > arcing the shoes. It caused them a ton of consternation while on a trip.
> > The outcome was to have them arced. Maybe they will post about that
> > experience once again for some of the young folks here...
> >
> > --
> > Gary and Diana Berry
> > 73 CL Stretch in Wa
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
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