Rear Brakes stripdown - worth replacing drums?

[p in phcas]

On Sunday the Scala failed it's MOT on brakes. The fronts are easy to sort out and the rears have probably seized owing to a lack of use for 18 months. If I am going to strip down the rears, is it worth while replacing the drums? They are original and have survived 126K miles.

I believe that the wheel bearing are integral to the drums. How easy is it to buy new drums with bearing in situ or are they bought separate and then fitted together. Does anybody have some guidance on rear drums and bearings?

cheers - TIA.

[bengould]

They are separate from the bearings but easy enough to fit. I usually use a suitably large socket and a big hammer to get the rear bearing seats in place. Be careful that the socket sits on the edge and NOT on the bit the bearing runs on. And that it goes in straight.
I think there is a minimum safe thickness of the rear drums that might even be listed in your haynes manual. However they are not overly expensive and might be worth replacing just for peace of mind.

Ben

[marcus]

Drums come without bearings.

The bearings aren't expensive (neither are the drums come to that) but can be tricky to drift in, and you need exactly the right size socket to use as a drift.

My local engine reconditioning workshop will put the bearings in pair of drums for £15, using a hydraulic press (which should ensure they go in nice and straight and without subjecting anything to too much stress).

[ianaudia4]

Why would you not change them? While you are at it I would change the shoes and springs as well and not forgetting a fluid change, rude not to really!

[p in phcas]

An old mechanic friend suggested heating the drums in the oven for 40 mins at 100degC and freezing the bearing. Expansion and contraction should make it easier to put the two together. Has anybody tried that?

[the edmundator]

You can also use a flat-ended screwdriver or chisel to hammer the bearings in. I've managed it this way without damaging anything.

[Village Idiots]

If fitting yourself, you will find it a lot easier with the heat and freeze method. Be very careful that you get the bearing going in straight. I'd be a bit wary using a screwdriver or a piece of solid bar to knock in a bearing, a suitable sized socket is better as you apply pressure evenly all round, assuming you're accurate with the knocking stick! If in doubt, the local garage and hydraulic press is the answer.

[james butler]

i bought a kit of ebay to replace everything on the rear end
it came with
- two drums
- two slave cylinders
- fitting kit with all springs and retainers
- shoes
- and the wheel bearings

the price was around £60

[p in phcas]

That's a good price - I just received my bits from ECP. Drums and bearings for £120. And I have the privileged to take one of the bearing kits back as it had the wrong bits in.

[marcus]

Someone posted a link either on here or on the register's Facebook page for a deal that included all of that plus a handbrake cable, all for £50 if I remember rightly. but I'm damned if I can find it now... :(

[james butler]

That was me but I can't find the link now either

[Michael J]

Hi all,

I bought a scirocco last year and have been slowly repairing everything to put it back on the road. it came time for the back brakes to be done and when opened up they were a sorry sight. so with new cylinders, shoes and a fitting kit I got down to business. passengers side went in fine but the drivers side not so good. the problem seems to be the cylinder pushes the shoe back as it should but the shoe gets caught in the guide or indent in the backing plate of the drum (only on one shoe) so then the cylinder extends to far out and the shoe of course does not return. the adjusting wedge also will not stay in place. ive racked my brains and taken this apart at least 6 to 8 times and still no luck. could anyone shed some light on it, I know hard to tell with out seeing it. cheers Michael

[chris_d66]

Hi
The outer bearings are easily to change with a drift and I wouldn't bother putting them in the freezer.
But if you have trouble with them and can get to Basingstoke I have a hydraulic press at work and could do them one day in the week if you wanted to collect in the evening.

[Nate]

Pics would help us see what's wrong. Adjusting wedge may just be worn. Try cutting the ridges in the side slightly deeper with a hacksaw. But only very slightly