Wide 5 Front and rear brake drums... best quality>?

monocoque · Post by **monocoque** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:27 pm

Hi all, I need to replace the brake drums on my Manx. It is all wide five swing and link pin suspension. I put all new drums (Brazilian)on it when I built the car in 2000. They are now out of round. My preference would be to put brand new drums on it again instead of turning the current ones due to the fact that since they are "NEW" , they warped so quickly that I think that the drum would perform even more poorly if they were turned( thinner wall). Whaqt have others done? What is the best quality brake drum currently available and who sells them? Thanks Chris

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 3:17 pm

My opinion is to find good used original German drums and have those turned.

allen pierce · Post by **allen pierce** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:28 pm

Do I recall that John Muir (Idiot's guide to VW's) said to not turn a VW brake drum as it will get too thin? Just trying to remember. And if he did say it, is he right? Just wondering.

shaihulud · Post by **shaihulud** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:42 pm

Yes I think John Muir did say to not turn VW drums. I recently had some lightly skimmed as if they were turned too much, they would have been too thin. I can't remember the minimum acceptable thickness, but the machinist said that he wouldn't do them as there was not enough metal left. If you can find a good set of newish German drums you should be OK. Find out what the minimum thickness is and take a calliper scale with you when you look for thicker ones.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:35 pm

You can get new German and Italian drums (and other parts) here: http://www.oeveedub.com/Merchant2/merch ... de=bsbr-dr

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:39 pm

I have turned "warped" Brazilian drums and they worked out pretty well. I always make sure I use a torque wrench when I tighten the wheel lugs. You still can't beat OE German parts though.

mightymanx · Post by **mightymanx** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:02 pm

Chris You can get German Italian drums from Larry's Offroad. They are located in Ohio and ship very fast. Their number is 1-800-375-4546 or the website is http://www.larrysoffroad.com. I have used them for parts and information they are very helpful.