Oval drum

[stuffedpike20]

One of my fairly new 8" front drums has gone oval. I have heard that they can do this if you drive through a big puddle when they are hot.
The shoes are fairly new too, and the adjusters are at full adjustment (a modern problem, I believe because the shoe linings are thinner).

My neighbour has a lathe, and could turn the drum true again, but the adjusters would then not b e able to cope with the increased diameter.

What are my options? Buy a new pair of drums? (they only seem to come in pairs). I don't want to mess about with the adjusters.

Thanks
John

[svenedin]

Once the drum is true again you could buy some new adjusters and masks. These ones are oversized. They would probably be ideal for your circumstances.

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... s-p1238194

Stephen

[stuffedpike20]

Thanks Stephen.

[philipkearney]

If you are able to true up the ones you have, I'd recommend that. I tried a new pair of drums a few years ago, bought from a well known supplier. They looked decent enough but they were very poor and actually caused more judder than the old drums. They were anything but true. I had the same issue with a Mini as well. Like a lot of new parts, the quality is poor.

[svenedin]

If you are able to true up the ones you have, I'd recommend that. I tried a new pair of drums a few years ago, bought from a well known supplier. They looked decent enough but they were very poor and actually caused more judder than the old drums. They were anything but true. I had the same issue with a Mini as well. Like a lot of new parts, the quality is poor.

Agreed. I have some scored original MOWOG drums that I have kept with a view to getting them made serviceable again. I used new drums from ESM some years ago. So far so good with them actually.

Stephen

[philipkearney]

Possibly a Scottish/Northern issue with the salt and poor conditions, but many original drums have become very fragile, cracked or the edges have broken in places. If you have decent condition original ones that haven't deteriorated too much, I think they'd be superior to new ones and definitely worth keeping 'just in case'

Good to know the new ones you fitted were fine. I may have got some from a bad batch. It was a few years ago now.

[stuffedpike20]

I bought new drums because I was sure that the original ones must be worn. When I fitted the new ones. I expected the adjusters would have less adjusting to do; but they were the same as with the old drums.
THEN I measured the old drums ,and found that there was actually very little wear on them. Should have measured first.

I looked at the adjusters that Stephen suggested, and it is actually cheaper to buy another new pair of drums, than four new adjusters.

[stuffedpike20]

Just to say...I used to work with a mechanic who worked on British cars in the 70s. He advised turning the adjusters back TWO clicks after locking the drum, because it was thought that the extra travel on the wheel cylinder pistons meant that the wheel cylinders lasted longer before leaks occurred.

There would be more travel on the foot brake...but as long as the MOT man passed it, it was ok.

[svenedin]

I bought new drums because I was sure that the original ones must be worn. When I fitted the new ones. I expected the adjusters would have less adjusting to do; but they were the same as with the old drums.
THEN I measured the old drums ,and found that there was actually very little wear on them. Should have measured first.

I looked at the adjusters that Stephen suggested, and it is actually cheaper to buy another new pair of drums, than four new adjusters.

Well I thought you'd be buying this drum if you had to replace it which is £39.42: https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... n-p1240144

The oversize adjusters are £11.94 so £23.88 per side.

I have had no trouble with these drums.

Stephen

[stuffedpike20]

I bought new drums because I was sure that the original ones must be worn. When I fitted the new ones. I expected the adjusters would have less adjusting to do; but they were the same as with the old drums.
THEN I measured the old drums ,and found that there was actually very little wear on them. Should have measured first.

I looked at the adjusters that Stephen suggested, and it is actually cheaper to buy another new pair of drums, than four new adjusters.

Well I thought you'd be buying this drum if you had to replace it which is £39.42: https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... n-p1240144

The oversize adjusters are £11.94 so £23.88 per side.

I have had no trouble with these drums.

Stephen

I am going to try 2 new ones from Andrew for £44 delivered, and then chose the least oval one to put on the car.
Anybody want to buy some oval drums?

[myoldjalopy]

Have you got any oval wheels to go with them?

[stuffedpike20]

I could have welded some metal to the bottom of the masks of the adjusters. That would have been cheaper than buying 'oversize' adjusters.

I sometimes wonder if this sort of thing would count as a modification. If the car was involved in an accident, and was pulled apart by an accident inspector who finds welded brake adjuster masks......
Can't be too careful.

[svenedin]

I could have welded some metal to the bottom of the masks of the adjusters. That would have been cheaper than buying 'oversize' adjusters.

I sometimes wonder if this sort of thing would count as a modification. If the car was involved in an accident, and was pulled apart by an accident inspector who finds welded brake adjuster masks......
Can't be too careful.

That would not have been a good idea. The original masks and adjusters are now rare parts. The reproductions in the correct original size (not the oversize ones) are very expensive!! https://www.morrisminorspares.com/brake ... 4-p1240142

Stephen

[SEROWMANMICHAEL]

You could "packup " the adjuster with metal strip

[stuffedpike20]

That is what I was talking about. I would want the 'packing' to be welded to the mask to prevent bits wandering about.