79 620 Drum Problem

[OgreBattle]

Hey yall, 

 

I recently changed the drums and shoes on my truck and I've run into a problem. The new drums have a bit of a sharper corner on them, as opposed to the old ones that have a more rounded edge. (see photos) This prevents the rear wheels from sitting flush against the drums and I'm worried could eventually cause a wobble or tire loss. You can see where the rim is digging into the drum in the third photo. Has anyone run into this problem before?

 

Oreillys only offers this one kind of drum for the 620, I havn't checked autozone but I figured Id run into the same problem. 

I've taken them to a couple machine shops to see if they could mill the edge down a tad but no one feels comfortable working on drums like that. 

One guy suggested looking into spacers of some kind, anyone know anything that might work?

 

I do not want to put money into new rims right now, but I fear that might be my only option.

 

[racerx]

Don't know if u will run into the same problem at AutoZone till you try, maybe different manufacturer.

[racerx]

Don't know if u will run into the same problem at AutoZone till you try, maybe different manufacturer.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

A good friend of mine owns a custom machine shop in the Snowflake area. I am sure that he would be willing to machine that step for you.

 

Let me know if you want his contact info.

[Draker]

This spacers would probably be cheaper than machine work.

[Z-train]

This spacers would probably be cheaper than machine work.

Spacers are always hack. Getting it machined is the correct approach.

[Lockleaf]

Mount drums, put rear axle on jack stands, a good block wrapped in 40 grit sand paper, lots off extra paper.

 

Put in gear, use axle spin to grind down the drums with the sand paper.

[OgreBattle]

Mount drums, put rear axle on jack stands, a good block wrapped in 40 grit sand paper, lots off extra paper.

 

Put in gear, use axle spin to grind down the drums with the sand paper.

I like this idea very much. I can't imagine that I need more than 1/32 of an inch off of that edge. 

[distributorguy]

I just broke one of those drums.  Then I ordered the Raybestos ones from Rockauto and they appear to be correct.  The Centric brand are trash.  

[OgreBattle]

I just broke one of those drums.  Then I ordered the Raybestos ones from Rockauto and they appear to be correct.  The Centric brand are trash.  

 

How did it break?

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Or better yet, spin the wheel while you're sanding the drum with a flap wheel on a 4" grinder.

[datzenmike]

 Only one place? Maybe the rim is bent or has a high spot???

[distributorguy]

How did it break?

 

I hand torqued the wheel to 55 ft lbs.  It felt odd as I did it, like when you feel a bolt stretching to its breaking point.  I spun the wheel and the brakes were dragging hard.  If it wasn't for the Photofuckit site being so douchey, I'd be happy to post a pic.  It cracked all the way around the edge of the axle flange.  There's also a sharply machined edge that's a stress point and promotes cracks on these crappy designed drums.  Centric is usually good, but these are terrible.  Get rid of them ASAP.  RockAuto pulled them from inventory.