Brake Drum Temperatures

stewwolfe

stewwolfe

Senior Member
I just replaced the drums and brakes in my cabriolet. The rear drums are running just over 100 degrees, but the front drums are running around 150 degrees. I don't believe that I'm dragging the front brakes because the wheels turn freely when spin them while the car is in jack stands. I also coast freely when I disengage the clutch. Is this temperature differential normal?
 
I assume your figures are Fahrenheit? Rather low, actually, for in-town driving with frequent stops. The 150/100 shows your braking effort is biased to the front, as it should be for a modern car, but not what you initially get if you adjust them the original "A" way.

What concerns me is your statement of 'just replaced' and 'wheels turn freely'. Either you're a magician and hand fitted them perfectly, used a brake doctor or equivalent, or are running a little loose to seat the shoes. Expect to do several adjustments as they loosen from the shoes finding home.
 
I had them arched and have them a little loose, but not very loose. I can lock the brakes at about the 1.5 inch mark on the pedal. I did adjust them for front wheels locking first, but am going to go back to Henry's way. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a problem before I did that.
 
Thank you all for the input. I just wasn't sure how hot was too hot. I'm feeling much better now that I have more information.
 
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