Brake Drum question?

[Wayne64]

So I did all my reading and searching posts and my drums do not have the inspection cover held by a screw for looking at the shoe gap. Mine is a B1 and what I have is a very narrow cut which appears to be made by a thin cut off wheel. Can one really see anything through this slot? or can I add a 1/4" hole to peak through? BTW the linings left the shoes I think because the shoes were totally frozen to the lower anchors.

[powerwagontim]

Hi Wayne,
The slot is not so much to see, it is to feel. It is to slip in a feeler gauge as you adjust the shoes out. Check the bottom, rotate the drum, check the top, etc. etc.
Tim

[Nickathome]

Are you sure your drums don't have the inspection slot? My truck is a B1 also and it has them......Maybe your drums are not stock?

[powerwagontim]

Nick,
Not all drums had the port, some had the slot Wayne is describing. I see both on Power Wagons all the time.
Tim

[MSeriesRebuild]

The drums used on M37's have the inspection port with a cover held in place by a screw. The ones with the slot are originally from M101 trailers. The drums are otherwise the same. Beware of this fact though, the trailer drums are most often turned drums, most have been turned out of spec. You can get by with these on the trailers because they are only used as a park brake in the trailer application. If you find good ones that have not been turned, they work great on the trucks as well. Just be careful that they haven't been turned out larger than a safe spec.

[m15256]

My original drums had inspection ports, but the pair I purchased recently, that came off of a trailer and had never been turned, have the slots.