Brake drum bands

Bill Goddard

Bill Goddard

Well-known member
I have 4 brake drums - original sheet metal style - the largest I.D. is 11.045. Would it be a good idea to put reinforcing bands on the drums and put off cast iron drums until the drums wear out more or should I forget it and run with my drums without the bands. Thanks Bill G
 
Your drums sound pretty good but the reinforcing bands are always a good thing. Once the bands are installed, you'll have to turn the drums and arc the shoes.
 
11.045 is not bad. Reinforcing bands will postpone the inevitable. After installing the bands the Drums will have to be returned and you will loose another 10 thou in metal thickness plus or minus a couple. Now you are around 11.065 - borderline.

I know new brake drums are expensive but in mine and a lot of other folks experience it is worth every penny of the cost.
 
Bill, back in 2008 I was going to buy bands and ran the idea past dad. Dad laughed out load and said "don't waste the money... go to a junkie [auto yard] and ask for 4 Franklin ring gears, it doesn't matter if the teeth are broken, I use to pay 25 or 40cents for them and they will fit a model a drum with heat" Oh dad is a one time Ford employee and was 95 years old at the time....LOL he was a true Yankee mechanic he carried a flat screw driver,vise grip pliers, and a roll of friction tape and a small ballpien hammer, could fix anything with that encluding aircraft [which he did during WWII] he passed in late 2008, I miss his advice but am with him whenever I use one of his tools on a project..
 
I drove a little on the steel drums-they were over turned, and the car stopped-sort of. I just spent the money and installed the cast iron ones and now she stops 'on a dime'. I have been toying with the idea of installing bands on the cast irons to help dissipate heat and add some stopping power.

Mike
 
The bands designed and built for the old steel drums will not fit over the new cast iron drums. Steel drums were .144 ( I think that is correct) or about 1/8" thick metal. The cast iron drums are approx 1/4" thick metal making the outside diameter larger.
 
I think I'm one of the few that still like steel drums,, as long as they are good ones.. Bands help,, but like said,, they are close to limits now and will be even closer once they are trued/turned.. The cast replacements are expensive..
 
Patrick L. said:
I think I'm one of the few that still like steel drums,, as long as they are good ones.. Bands help,, but like said,, they are close to limits now and will be even closer once they are trued/turned.. The cast replacements are expensive..
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I'm also using original steel drums and they are thick enough to do a good job. I have driven some Model A's that needed some serious brake work done before I'd drive them again.
 
Bill, 11.045" is still well within the safe limit. Save your money on the bands, and wait for the cast iron drums. They are a large improvement to the stopping power of the car. Don't forget, when you put on the cast iron drums, you also need to go over the complete brake system, and that could be a few dollars too.....
 
I've consulted some of my club members and heard from you guys and the consensus seems to be wait and go for cast iron next year when budget allows. Thanks for all your help. Bill G
 
I made cast iron bands by turning, on a brake lathe, 11" drums junk drums.
I was able to turn them to just under 11.250. Cut thru the drum to form a ring, heat them and shrink fit them on Henry's steel drums.
 
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