Brake drums
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
Brake drums
Debating about getting the trailer drums turned.
Most drums use to have enough meat on them to be turned at least once, are trailer drums the same?
Anyone know what the thickness of a new drum is by chance?
On side note, last time I needed something turned it seemed like every parts store offered it as a service, not so anymore. Local O'Reilly only has 1 guy able to do it during banking hours.
I get it though, rotors are throwaways and drums are old tech..
Most drums use to have enough meat on them to be turned at least once, are trailer drums the same?
Anyone know what the thickness of a new drum is by chance?
On side note, last time I needed something turned it seemed like every parts store offered it as a service, not so anymore. Local O'Reilly only has 1 guy able to do it during banking hours.
I get it though, rotors are throwaways and drums are old tech..
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,726
Likes: 12,873
From: Wyoming
My drums were 15 years old and I'm the third owner. No idea about service history. Nobody local turned drums anyhow. I upgraded to heavier duty drums and bearings. Virgin races seemed like a good place to start over.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 417
Why do you think they need turned? Might just be some imprints on them, causing a pulsing sensation. IMO, I would take apart, inspect brakes, light sanding to brakes and drums, clean out with brake cleaner, repack bearings, reinstall, adjust brakes for a very slight drag.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
Why do you think they need turned? Might just be some imprints on them, causing a pulsing sensation. IMO, I would take apart, inspect brakes, light sanding to brakes and drums, clean out with brake cleaner, repack bearings, reinstall, adjust brakes for a very slight drag.
because they are rusty and need turned/replaced
SMMFH
it isn't a fsckjng imprint!
now does anyone know ?
I really dont care if you just bought new or about your third cousin . Simple question.
how much material is available to turn
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,676
Likes: 379
Love how you jump to conclusions and assume..
because they are rusty and need turned/replaced
SMMFH
it isn't a fsckjng imprint!
now does anyone know ?
I really dont care if you just bought new or about your third cousin . Simple question.
how much material is available to turn
because they are rusty and need turned/replaced
SMMFH
it isn't a fsckjng imprint!
now does anyone know ?
I really dont care if you just bought new or about your third cousin . Simple question.
how much material is available to turn
Speaking of turning, I had a machinist turn the face of the drum where the magnet rubs. That and new magnets really brought the brakes to life.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
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From: Media PA
Well, maybe if you had included the additional info in your initial post other members wouldn’t have jumped to a common conclusion, and you wouldn’t have had to respond in a way that makes you seem grumpy enough to ignore. But I’m a nice guy and I’ll try to add a little here that hopefully won’t cause you any further frustration. 
Many drums will have a minimum thickness stamped/cast on them. To complicate things trailer drums with electric magnet brakes would also need the magnet contact surface turned, which will of course reduce the number of shops able to do the job. If they are so rusted that a manual cleanup with sandpaper won’t save then I’d be looking at new drums.
Many drums will have a minimum thickness stamped/cast on them. To complicate things trailer drums with electric magnet brakes would also need the magnet contact surface turned, which will of course reduce the number of shops able to do the job. If they are so rusted that a manual cleanup with sandpaper won’t save then I’d be looking at new drums.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,978
Likes: 4,132
From: Angier, NC
I thought all drums & rotors had a minimum thickness stamped/cast on them?
Other wise how would you know if they are still any good?
I was going to ask if you found any place that still turns drums & rotors as did not think any one did any more?
I have not looked around me but I think its slim pickings.
Also as said the magnet side would need turning too.
I think I would get on Etrailer's site and order me some new drums & magnets maybe even shoes and be done with it.
Unless you have a trailer place close by. There is a RV trailer sales & service a few miles from me I just dont know what all he may have in stock?
Dave ----
Other wise how would you know if they are still any good?
I was going to ask if you found any place that still turns drums & rotors as did not think any one did any more?
I have not looked around me but I think its slim pickings.
Also as said the magnet side would need turning too.
I think I would get on Etrailer's site and order me some new drums & magnets maybe even shoes and be done with it.
Unless you have a trailer place close by. There is a RV trailer sales & service a few miles from me I just dont know what all he may have in stock?
Dave ----
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: NE Ohio
Well, maybe if you had included the additional info in your initial post other members wouldn’t have jumped to a common conclusion, and you wouldn’t have had to respond in a way that makes you seem grumpy enough to ignore. But I’m a nice guy and I’ll try to add a little here that hopefully won’t cause you any further frustration.
Many drums will have a minimum thickness stamped/cast on them. To complicate things trailer drums with electric magnet brakes would also need the magnet contact surface turned, which will of course reduce the number of shops able to do the job. If they are so rusted that a manual cleanup with sandpaper won’t save then I’d be looking at new drums.
Many drums will have a minimum thickness stamped/cast on them. To complicate things trailer drums with electric magnet brakes would also need the magnet contact surface turned, which will of course reduce the number of shops able to do the job. If they are so rusted that a manual cleanup with sandpaper won’t save then I’d be looking at new drums.
The question was about thickness of drums, not about doing maintenance on them, replacing bearings,seals or repacking them or anything to do with that.
Why is it so hard to stick to the question instead of giving opinions that has nothing do with the topic?
Yes I know about the tolerance stamp for minimum, I was not aware they also stamped the max thickness as well, I'll have to look for that stamp.
I only asked to save the hassle and be told they can't turn them. and while it isn't relevant why it's a hassle it's because I don't want to leave the
trailer up on jack stands for an extended amount of time waiting on the drums to get turned. They can't promise a turn around time.
The rust is thick enough that I want a machine to clean the surface up if possible. I thought it was a straight forward question with a straight forward answer.
It's fine, I'll do what I was planning and go from there, again thought maybe I'd get a straight answer. which is kind of rare on here tbh.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,676
Likes: 379
Debating about getting the trailer drums turned.
Most drums use to have enough meat on them to be turned at least once, are trailer drums the same?
Anyone know what the thickness of a new drum is by chance?
On side note, last time I needed something turned it seemed like every parts store offered it as a service, not so anymore. Local O'Reilly only has 1 guy able to do it during banking hours.
I get it though, rotors are throwaways and drums are old tech..
Most drums use to have enough meat on them to be turned at least once, are trailer drums the same?
Anyone know what the thickness of a new drum is by chance?
On side note, last time I needed something turned it seemed like every parts store offered it as a service, not so anymore. Local O'Reilly only has 1 guy able to do it during banking hours.
I get it though, rotors are throwaways and drums are old tech..
I'm aware of the magnet surface and if I thought it was bad I'd just get new drums because I am also aware few shops have the machine to do that cut.
The question was about thickness of drums, not about doing maintenance on them, replacing bearings,seals or repacking them or anything to do with that.
Why is it so hard to stick to the question instead of giving opinions that has nothing do with the topic?
Yes I know about the tolerance stamp for minimum, I was not aware they also stamped the max thickness as well, I'll have to look for that stamp.
I only asked to save the hassle and be told they can't turn them. and while it isn't relevant why it's a hassle it's because I don't want to leave the
trailer up on jack stands for an extended amount of time waiting on the drums to get turned. They can't promise a turn around time.
The rust is thick enough that I want a machine to clean the surface up if possible. I thought it was a straight forward question with a straight forward answer.
It's fine, I'll do what I was planning and go from there, again thought maybe I'd get a straight answer. which is kind of rare on here tbh.
The question was about thickness of drums, not about doing maintenance on them, replacing bearings,seals or repacking them or anything to do with that.
Why is it so hard to stick to the question instead of giving opinions that has nothing do with the topic?
Yes I know about the tolerance stamp for minimum, I was not aware they also stamped the max thickness as well, I'll have to look for that stamp.
I only asked to save the hassle and be told they can't turn them. and while it isn't relevant why it's a hassle it's because I don't want to leave the
trailer up on jack stands for an extended amount of time waiting on the drums to get turned. They can't promise a turn around time.
The rust is thick enough that I want a machine to clean the surface up if possible. I thought it was a straight forward question with a straight forward answer.
It's fine, I'll do what I was planning and go from there, again thought maybe I'd get a straight answer. which is kind of rare on here tbh.
It's getting to the point where you have to know a guy to get drums and rotors turned. A couple parts shops near me used to do them along with flywheels but the guy that did it a few times per week retired.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,978
Likes: 4,132
From: Angier, NC
I was told of a machine shop by 3 or 4 people that could do the king pins for my 81 F100 .
Well they did not do it right is all I can say.
Dave ----
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 779
Likes: 427
I have a brake lathe so that I never have to look for someone to turn them. Pure convenience.
My experience, operating one for 35 years, is that truck rotors and drums have plenty of meat to turn. If you were to measure the new ones that the parts store is selling, your freshly turned parts might be thicker.
My experience, operating one for 35 years, is that truck rotors and drums have plenty of meat to turn. If you were to measure the new ones that the parts store is selling, your freshly turned parts might be thicker.
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