Front Brake Work

[captain marty]

What was the original front brake drum wall thickness and what is the minimum safe thickness I should not exceed when turning? And is there a certain thickness and material of brake shoe that I should request when I have them relined?
Thanks guys,
Marty

[SHELBY MESSER]

Marty , Service manual says DO NOT turn the A or AA brake drums. If you don't have a service manual look at my post - turning brake drums (I can't seam to move it here)!!Shelby,Louisiana.

[Brian T]

Hello Marty,
Ford did say not to turn the drums as this would remove the burnishing that the steel drums recieved when new, however to answer your question the original thickness was .145" ... the minimum is .120", you can purchase reinforcing bands from the vendors which would not be a bad idea even with new drums if you can find them, the cast iron drums would be better but as far as I know are still not avaiable for the AA.

[Neil Wilson]

Question,
For the '30/'31 AA, the front drums are the same as the rear drums. I believe that these drums are thicker to start with and this might change the minimum requirement. Does anyone know?

Marty does not indicate the year of his AA.

[Reds34]

Weren't the 28/29 truck drums cast iron?

Or at least some of them?


Red

[captain marty]

I do beleive my 28 drums are cast. They do not look all that bad, just a thick film or grease and dirt, which I may just clean off and see how they work. The brake shoes don't really look all that bad either.
Thanks for all the help,
Marty-Tulsa