Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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#276324 04/24/13 12:36 PM
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Good afternoon-

After rebuilding my brakes on my 32 Chevrolet, I had a loud squeal on the left front when stopping. It was suggested that I have the drum turned. Our brake shop could not chuck the drum and was afraid to even turn them. To make a long story short, I tried a flap sanding wheel on my drill and just sanded the drum a bit being careful not to overdo it and by golly it worked. No squeal at all.

Mac

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The noise is from the drum vibrating. Like the name it is a drum in the tonal sense and just doing what drums do when "played". Once the roughened surface (from sanding) is smoothed you may get the noise back. One comforting thought is that you know that that brake is working. Also anyone around knows you are there.


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Chipper #276329 04/24/13 01:35 PM
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Chipper-They definitely work and the car stops real well and, as you say, the noise is audible for a long way. I will probably return after a bit, but for now, it is pretty quiet. Best always and take care.

Mac

Last edited by geezer 32; 04/24/13 01:35 PM.
Chipper #278143 05/13/13 07:56 PM
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Well, the noise is back, but not as bad Chipper. Any ideas as to how to eliminate the noise?

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A brake shop can not turn your drums as the are stamped steel. The must be ground to be resurfaced. Since they are very thin to start with I would not recomend any thing more than sanding.
I remember those cars when I was you and hear it today when attending meets and tours. The squeak is very common.
I wounder if a brake drim spring like Chevrloet used in the later years would eleminate the problem. It wraps around the outside fo the drum an probably coud be easliy seen on the older models.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 05/13/13 09:30 PM.

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I have had a similar sqeal for years and have yet to find a cure. Interestingly last year I removed and sanded all drums and brake shoes and found a couple of tight link pins and thought I had a cure as they were noisless when re-assembled. The sqeal returned shortly and I'm also back to square one. I did notice that with the clutch dis-engaged it is worse as the vibration probably transfers to the engine when engaged.


Steve D
m006840 #278191 05/14/13 09:25 AM
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Well, since you guys have the same problem, I will just keep what I have. It stops very well so the squeal is what tells me all is working!!!! I have seen springs on later models and my Mom's 49 Chevy had springs wrapped on all the drums and no squeal. Not a testimony that it worked but an anecdotal story. Thanks for the help and best to everyone. Peace.

Mac

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Found the anti-vibration springs for around 60 bucks a set....What do you think of trying them out?

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It sounds expensive for a trial and a bargain if it works. My 51 has the springs and also a slot cut thru the drum just above the area the shoe rides in. I'm assuming it is also for vibration reduction. Is the set 2 or 4 springs?


Steve D
m006840 #278235 05/14/13 09:27 PM
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If it works, it will be worth it, no doubt. 4 springs are included.

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If you're "just trying it", why not go to a hardware store and buy some old fashioned screen door springs (cut 'em to length if necessary). Gotta be a much less expensive test.

Just a thought - -

Gaither #278269 05/15/13 07:38 AM
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The brake drum springs have a greater amount of spring tension than screen door springs. Good idea though.


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