Hello,
Does anybody know, where to get new original brake drums for a 65 Cadillac which are high Quality and fulfill the OE Standards?
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Have you had issues with the currently available replacements? If so what has been the issue? It looks to be a reasonably common (for Cadillac) drum that was used for several years on several models so finding a NOS or good used should not be impossible especially since they were mostly used on the rears in later years and you don't tend to get much wear.
CADILLAC BROUGHAM 1987-1990
CADILLAC CALAIS 1965-1976
CADILLAC COMMERCIAL CHASSIS 1961-1984
CADILLAC DEVILLE 1962-1983
CADILLAC ELDORADO 1965-1966
CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1965-1986
CADILLAC SERIES 60 FLEETWOOD 1960-1964
CADILLAC SERIES 62 1960-1964
CADILLAC SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD 1961-1964
CHEVROLET CAPRICE 1976
CHEVROLET IMPALA 1976
OLDSMOBILE 98 1971-1975
OLDSMOBILE CUSTOM CRUISER 1971-1975
OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 1971-1975
THX for your reply.
In the workshop, they told me that the drums are often reproductions of poor Quality that sometimes run rough and need to be drilled out. Sometimes the cast material is too soft and the temperature behavior is bad. Therefore, I would like to ask if anyone has already had experience with new brake drums that do not need to be reworked. Is there a manufacturer of high quality drums in the US that meets or exceeds OE standards? I am thankful for every hint. Thanks a lot!
Unfortunately, the raw castings for brake drums and also most
disk brakes are no longer made in the U.S. -- they are imports
from China.
The better, well known brands such as Raybestos,Wagner, Bendix,
Centric, Motorcraft, Delco are normaly machined here in the U.S.
from imported castings. What you find at the chain suppliers such
as Autozone, NAPA, and others are completed products cast and
machined in China. The quality is reportedly marginal or sub-par.
However, that may be good enough for those of us that rarely drive
our vehicles over a few hundres miles per year.
That's why the parts chain stores can suppy their products at a
lower price. No American labor is involved in the critical machining
and finishing process.
Mike
I have a question on this subject. It appears that the new drums do not include the front hub - the same part number is specified for both front and rear. What is involved in removing the hub from the old drum? I didn't realize the hub/drum were designed to be separated.
I have a good supply of 1960 to 1974 Cadillac drums and sell the rear drums turned for $65 each. These are the same drums used on the front, minus the front hubs. I also sell the drums unturned for $45 each. MPB lists these as fitting all 1960 to 1974 Cadillacs except the Commercial Chassis body styles and 1967 and later Eldorado. I have included pictures of 4 rear drums I recently had turned but have more. email me at jasonedge@nc.rr.com with shipping address if interested in VG originals.
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17966713_1307093646005007_7661957601215981005_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_eui2=AeEdvfwC2OfkKcTgeIObzaePSxdRjDBTLxGWe7kl_t9TMdlVER9jpMLu2pvnolwOB_ObKzhMyHAOZBYR6CMxQiIfSasec9EEzBhUTVYHPJ8tqA&_nc_oc=AQmB0KhZI4MNdPZwB-yNGMyeaxdJAwVyO1JlPpVwLQdx-tp7JdBRlVRVpyqNH4rv-JhArnyyVFzWpmREDpAcXTbP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=fce2651eaef8f8002a10aa9e3332c9d6&oe=5DCC599A)
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17966967_1307093659338339_3011642887274833442_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_eui2=AeF8s0qcb_Ou7Fo3gJsm3dXW-sB6cWVifNYZrpSqDI2P1SgkzKvAGBpEQBSCV0_jVRf1GLqlPduxh4ycpi_NMO0o8bAWFhrwPAKQqhjfxyogaw&_nc_oc=AQmKVh_ZPuTF9qU0XbysIj1HDSfirh7odtJdQrxOzmCU7oxKi0iGZQKpoMOw-L-5WRLwJkbBTaxryvsD07eT9P0R&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=7faaf12dc81959b64bac3f763847ca60&oe=5DDE8EE9)
I did some research in the 1969 and 1974 Master Parts Books and the rear drums I have fit 1960 to 1974 Cadillacs except the Commercial Chassis and 1967 and later Eldorado. Again, price is $65 each (or $45 unturned).
I also have VG used 1961 to 1968 Cadillac (except 1967/68 Eldo) front drum & hubs, turned for $105 each (or $85 unturned). Shoot me an email to jasonedge@nc.rr.com if you need good turned 60 to 74 rear drums, or 61 to 68 front drum & hubs.
This is great to know, thanks Jason!
Thank you very much for the information.
I am in doubt, whether the turning out of the drum is good, since the wall thickness is reduced by the turning out.
Up to which wall thickness (to what extent ?) can you turn off the brake drum so that you can brake safely even at 80mls/h? Can the heat created during braking be dissipated well without the brake drum warping due to the heat? Sorry, I have no experience in it.
Michael
All drums can be machined, so long as you don't exceed the manufacturers specifications.
I would rather use a factory-machined drum than a brand new Chinese one.
Bruce. >:D
As Bruce stated, drums can be machined. Drums and rotors have been being turned (machined) since drums and rotors have been around. Specs for the drums are in the Shop Manual. For the drums I deal with, the spec 12.060 inch diameter.
I had the drums on the 55 turned. I they didn't have any manuals so I told them the specs. I added a bit to the max because I wanted my originals back. It isn't a daily driver so I figured. 05" wouldn't hurt. They didn't tell me what they specked out at but they said they all were turntable.
They charged more to turn truck drums than car drums. They wanted to charge me the truck price because the guy behind the counter said no cars had drums that big.
Jeff
Quote from: Jeff Rose CLC #28373 on August 18, 2019, 09:18:16 PM
I had the drums on the 55 turned. I they didn't have any manuals so I told them the specs. I added a bit to the max because I wanted my originals back. It isn't a daily driver so I figured. 05" wouldn't hurt. They didn't tell me what they specked out at but they said they all were turntable.
They charged more to turn truck drums than car drums. They wanted to charge me the truck price because the guy behind the counter said no cars had drums that big.
Jeff
LOL ;D