Brake Drums

AA Ford Discussion Group relating to the repair and restoration of your AA Ford.
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David R.
Posts: 260
Joined: August 17th, 2019, 1:52 pm
Body Type: Chassis
Model Year: 1930
Location: WV

Brake Drums

Post by David R. »

What are maximum turning diameters for AA drums? Are replacements available?
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Chris Haynes
Posts: 2203
Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
Body Type: 82A
Model Year: 1930
Location: Camarillo, CA

Re: Brake Drums

Post by Chris Haynes »

I picked up a good used set of cast iron '32 drums for mine.
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tiredtruckrestorer
Posts: 338
Joined: April 20th, 2003, 7:09 pm
Model Year: 1931
Location: Orwigsburg, PA

Re: Brake Drums

Post by tiredtruckrestorer »

The original AA pressed steel drums are hard to turn on modern drum turning equipment. Back in the day, pressed steel drums were ground true on brake drum grinding machines. I found an old truck drum grinding machine and did a few drums, but when I ran out of grinding stones I haven't been able to find any replacement stones for the machine. Like Chris said, BB cast drums will fit, but I also found some cast drums with AA part numbers on. Don't know if they were late '31 cast drums or later replacement ones. Never got to the archives to look up the part numbers to see when they were actually made available.

Keith
David R.
Posts: 260
Joined: August 17th, 2019, 1:52 pm
Body Type: Chassis
Model Year: 1930
Location: WV

Re: Brake Drums

Post by David R. »

Thanks Keith. Does any one know what minimum wall thickness should be, or maximum turned diameter is? Why are they hard to turn? Do they chatter?
The brake linings on this one axle were hardly worn at all, but thoroughly grease soaked.
KimVanOrder
Posts: 753
Joined: August 11th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Body Type: 82-A Platform
Model Year: 1928
Location: Hamilton, Mich.

Re: Brake Drums

Post by KimVanOrder »

I thought the Min. wall thickness was ref. in the Red Model a ford mechanics hand book.. I'd look it up , but it is in the barn. Google it?
KVO
Dec. '28 AA
KimVanOrder
Posts: 753
Joined: August 11th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Body Type: 82-A Platform
Model Year: 1928
Location: Hamilton, Mich.

Re: Brake Drums

Post by KimVanOrder »

just found this...

Snyder's catalog indicates .130 is the minimum. Some of the "How to Restore Your Model A" books indicate .120.
KVO
Dec. '28 AA
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: Brake Drums

Post by Bob C »

Those numbers are for Model A's I think AA's would be thicker.

Bob
KimVanOrder
Posts: 753
Joined: August 11th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Body Type: 82-A Platform
Model Year: 1928
Location: Hamilton, Mich.

Re: Brake Drums

Post by KimVanOrder »

My AA is a "28, same parts as an A. Newer may have different parts.. When in doubt, Thicker is better. Get new or drive slow.. :lol:
KVO
Dec. '28 AA
David R.
Posts: 260
Joined: August 17th, 2019, 1:52 pm
Body Type: Chassis
Model Year: 1930
Location: WV

Re: Brake Drums

Post by David R. »

I bought spare front and rear axles when the opportunity came along. I worked on disassembling spare front axle this evening. Brake drums just do measure 14” so I should be good there? Linings hardly worn; but grease soaked. I believe the grease came from the Loray tar pits.
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Chris Haynes
Posts: 2203
Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
Body Type: 82A
Model Year: 1930
Location: Camarillo, CA

Re: Brake Drums

Post by Chris Haynes »

David R. wrote:
October 29th, 2019, 7:09 pm
Linings hardly worn; but grease soaked. I believe the grease came from the Loray tar pits.
Would that be The LaBrea Tar Pits? I have never heard of Loray Tar Pit. Neither has Google. :-)
David R.
Posts: 260
Joined: August 17th, 2019, 1:52 pm
Body Type: Chassis
Model Year: 1930
Location: WV

Re: Brake Drums

Post by David R. »

Yes, thank you and excuse my ignorance. The grease was very sticky and tar like.
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