‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jabborabbo** · 11-24-2020, 07:46 PM

‘67 GMC with drums front and rear - I’m doing a complete (except for the master cylinder) rebuild - shoes, hoses, and cylinders. I don’t know if the springs have ever been replaced - they have a very thin coat of smooth rust on them - the truck was kept in a garage all it’s life (except of course when it was being driven). Should I replace all the springs?

Thanks in advance for all replies!

**kwmech** · 11-24-2020, 08:37 PM

Every time.... if money will allow

Andy4639 · 11-24-2020, 09:12 PM

I would. Considering they could be over 50 years old.

geezer#99 · 11-24-2020, 09:18 PM

Napa used to sell a complete spring and hardware kit for drum brakes.

MaximusD · 11-24-2020, 09:19 PM

Hi all, I am doing the same replacement, what about changing the drums?, I assume they should be changed, but thought I would check with you all. Thanks

geezer#99 · 11-24-2020, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaximusD

Hi all, I am doing the same replacement, what about changing the drums?, I assume they should be changed, but thought I would check with you all. Thanks

Should be able to find a machine shop that can resurface them if needed. They should be marked with a minimum thickness.

I’ve found replacement drums that don’t have the adjustment hole in them and you need to install a slot and plug in the backing plate.
Best to keep stock ones.

weim55 · 11-25-2020, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaximusD

Hi all, I am doing the same replacement, what about changing the drums?, I assume they should be changed, but thought I would check with you all. Thanks

Best to retain those old quality drums if possible, especially if they are OEM. If you do have them remachined beware of the hack running the brake lathe at the auto parts store. Often they do not mount the drum squarely on the machine and then remove many times more material than necc. to refinish. Find that quality shop in town that knows the old stuff and does it right.....

Steve weim55 Colorado

MaximusD · 11-24-2020, 10:36 PM

Great, thanks for info!

weim55 · 11-25-2020, 12:17 PM

I no longer replace brake hardware on older drum brake (40s-70s) vehicles unless I can get my hands on NOS factory or aftermarket parts. Hardware kits (return springs) in the current auto parts chain have repeatable failure in my experience. Clean and inspect the originals carefully, they are almost always OK. You can't beat that old USA quality.......

Just my two cents of experience.......

Steve weim55 Colorado

**dagnabbitt** · 11-25-2020, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weim55

I no longer replace brake hardware on older drum brake (40s-70s) vehicles unless I can get my hands on NOS factory or aftermarket parts. Hardware kits (return springs) in the current auto parts chain have repeatable failure in my experience. Clean and inspect the originals carefully, they are almost always OK. You can't beat that old USA quality.......

Just my two cents of experience.......

Steve weim55 Colorado

I have to agree. If you are going with new parts from China at the very least don't throw away the originals, you might be putting them back on.

racerop · 11-25-2020, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

i have to agree. If you are going with new parts from china at the very least don't throw away the originals, you might be putting them back on.

x2

11-24-2020, 07:46 PM	#1
jabborabbo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Podunk, Texas Posts: 776	‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? ‘67 GMC with drums front and rear - I’m doing a complete (except for the master cylinder) rebuild - shoes, hoses, and cylinders. I don’t know if the springs have ever been replaced - they have a very thin coat of smooth rust on them - the truck was kept in a garage all it’s life (except of course when it was being driven). Should I replace all the springs? Thanks in advance for all replies! __________________ "It is hard to search for a black cat in a dark room, particularly if it is not there. Especially if this cat is smart, brave, and polite." Sergei Shoigu, Russian Minister of Defense

11-24-2020, 08:37 PM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,679	Re: ‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? Every time.... if money will allow

11-24-2020, 09:12 PM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: ‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? I would. Considering they could be over 50 years old. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-24-2020, 09:18 PM	#4
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,751	Re: ‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? Napa used to sell a complete spring and hardware kit for drum brakes.

11-24-2020, 09:19 PM	#5
MaximusD Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Billings Mt Posts: 53	Re: ‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? Hi all, I am doing the same replacement, what about changing the drums?, I assume they should be changed, but thought I would check with you all. Thanks

11-24-2020, 10:36 PM	#8
MaximusD Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Billings Mt Posts: 53	Re: ‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? Great, thanks for info!

11-25-2020, 12:17 PM	#9
weim55 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Larkspur, Colorado Posts: 916	Re: ‘67 drum brake springs...replace ‘em? I no longer replace brake hardware on older drum brake (40s-70s) vehicles unless I can get my hands on NOS factory or aftermarket parts. Hardware kits (return springs) in the current auto parts chain have repeatable failure in my experience. Clean and inspect the originals carefully, they are almost always OK. You can't beat that old USA quality....... Just my two cents of experience....... Steve weim55 Colorado



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