Bob1180
Lancaster, Ohio
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Joined: 04/26/2010
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Has anyone had their brake drums turned, when installing new brakes, reather than replacing drums. My RV mechanic says you can't turn them, but I have had many drums turn on my cars. At $135.00 a drum I can see why he would be reather sell me the new ones.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Probably depends on where the wear is. If it's where the shoes wear on the drum from running shoes that have the linings worn completely off, then PROVIDED they are not scarred badly they should be able to be machined. If they're scarred where the magnet contacts the face of the drum, not as likely that they can be machined. That surface is not as thick is where the shoes run.
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Gunpilot77
Killeen, Tx
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Joined: 10/06/2000
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Not only do the brake shoes ride on the outer circumference, the magnet rides on the inner face. I'm sure there are machines somewhere that can cut the magnet portion, but I have never seen one.
Fifth wheel pulled with a pick-up
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josten367
Columbia, MO
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Joined: 08/23/2011
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You can get your drums turned but it's a 50/50 shot. I have had them turned and they were fine but I have also had them turned and they caused problems with the ride. If it's cheaper just get a new pair. It also depends on turning the drum on how much is left on them. I am not surprized that your guy doesn't want to turn them and put new one's on. Cheaper and easier.
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Dr Quick
M'boro, Tn
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With brake drums, there is a certain maximum inside diameter that you can have, and if machining them exceeds this dimension, they can not be turned. This number is often located right on the drum. If a auto parts place is able to turn the brake surface, they should also be able to do the brake magnet surface too. Just call around to see who can do it.
If drum surface is OK and has no unusual wear or damage, I usually just sand them to rough them up and replace shoes.
I would suspect that there is more profit in replacing the drums, then having them machined.
In over 50 years of working on cars, I have never seen a case where turning drums effected the ride.
Dr Quick
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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Have not done that on a trailer. But many times on cars and trucks, with no problems. Don't see any reason why it cannot be done on a trailer drum, as long as the max inside diameter is not exceeded.
If the magnet surface needs machining, you may want to check to see what the minimum thickness spec should be. The magnet is mounted on a spring to push it out toward the drum. So there should be no issue removing a few thousanths of an inch off the brake magnet surface. As long as their is plenty of thickness left in that area.
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Charlie D.
E. Texas-Orange
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I know $600.00 puts a dent in the pocket book but you can buy new drums and SELF-ADJUSTING brakes for around $150.00 each.
Includes drums, bearings, magnets, etc. Everything needed for a complete replacement of brake parts.
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Keith M
Cle Elum
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I went through this last year. The only shop within 100 miles or so of my house wanted $85 to turn the brake and magnetic surface. It was a farm tractor repair business. It ended up being a no-brainer I bought new drums, magnets, shoes, and bearings for $150 per axel delivered to my house. The only special tool you need outside of a socket set is a $6 spring compressor. You can go to Youtube and Etrailer has some videos that show how easy replacing the brakes are.
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45Ricochet
North Idaho
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Joined: 09/04/2009
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I've been waiting for my brakes to go south so I can switch to disc brakes.
These bigger 5er's should really come with nice brakes and real tires.
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aruba5er
Neenah Wisconsin
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Spend the $540 on new disk brakes and be done with it. no more adjusting no more "am I going to get this thing stopped". I did and have never been happier. An I noticed that I have a grease seal leaking. Who cares. The grease went out and thru the holes in the rotors and did NOT get on the rotors. So they still stop great. Gives me a heads up and time to get the seal replaced, unlike the last time I lost the brake due to grease. Truly the best investment I've made in my fifth wheel. Remember, only the CHEAPEST cars on the road have drum brakes and only usually the rears, They still have front Disk brakes
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