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I am new to the group, and need some help concerning the brake drums. I just purchased an M37 that was used by the the city of Hampton Roads Va. The brake lines were toast, and I have to replace everything.
While I was finishing up yesterday( all the old lines are off the truck) I decided to pull the drums, and check the condition of the shoes. While doing that, I also inspected the drums, and I think they are thin. My question is: What is the max diameter of the drums before they have to be condemned?
Max diameter of brake drums.
Moderators: Cal_Gary, T. Highway, Monkey Man, robi
Max diameter of brake drums.
John, in Aiken SC, Where trains run down the center of the parkway
Re: Max diameter of brake drums.
when they are new they are 14.125. i have run them as far out as 14.215 which is .090 over. I believe the books says .060 over max but with abex linings I have never had any fade issues. Abex lining is what is used on fire trucks nad school buses. awesome stuff.
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vtdeucedriver
- SFC
- Posts: 565
- Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:53 am
Re: Max diameter of brake drums.
Are these with the stock shoe?? I have seen oversize shoes recently so that could give some added life.Kaegi wrote:when they are new they are 14.125. i have run them as far out as 14.215 which is .090 over. I believe the books says .060 over max but with abex linings I have never had any fade issues. Abex lining is what is used on fire trucks nad school buses. awesome stuff.
Green Mountain Military Vehicle Club Army Transportation Association Vietnam
http://linehaulrvn.tripod.com
1951 M37
1954 M37
1953 M62
1967 M54A1C
1968 M54A2C
1968 M52A2
1966 M151A1
http://linehaulrvn.tripod.com
1951 M37
1954 M37
1953 M62
1967 M54A1C
1968 M54A2C
1968 M52A2
1966 M151A1
Re: Max diameter of brake drums.
oversize works sometimes but if you go too thin on these drums they get hot real easy. not much material there to begin with.vtdeucedriver wrote:Are these with the stock shoe?? I have seen oversize shoes recently so that could give some added life.Kaegi wrote:when they are new they are 14.125. i have run them as far out as 14.215 which is .090 over. I believe the books says .060 over max but with abex linings I have never had any fade issues. Abex lining is what is used on fire trucks nad school buses. awesome stuff.
if you go oversize then arcing is a must.
i have an arcing machine and in my opinion the only way to do the brakes of this design is to have the shoes arced to fit. any relining shop will do it free if you have them reline your shoes (bring in your drums). or if you bring them in your drums and shoes you got elsewhere they will do it for usually around 10 bucks a wheel.