VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 53 Chevy 3/4 Ton Rear Brake Drums

After I bolt the newly cleaned & painted rear end onto the springs this weekend, I'm going to start on the brakes; new lines, wheel cylinders, springs, etc. My rear drums are scored somewhat, but not so bad that they won't work. Not enough left of them to turn.

Chevy Duty (among others) has drums for this model. Has anyone bought replacement drums for this truck? Are they NOS or newly made? If newly made, how's the quality?

Thanks in advance.

If the drums have never been turned or even if they have I would take the "high spots" off and reuse them as they are plenty thick.(unless very thin or you plan on hauling horses or ?)...for passenger car type driving -light duty use- they should be OK

I agree with Chevy nut. If the drums are not scored super bad , clean'em up & run 'em. I have not had any experience with the repop drums. It would be illegal to sell them if they didnt meet D.O.T. specs. I still feel better using the original old iron.

Thanks, guys. My brake man (Tommy Lowe's Brake and Alignment if ya'll are ever in Paducah, KY) was the one who told me not to turn the brakes anymore a couple of years back before I started my frame-off. I'll probably get his opinion on the original drums before I do anything else. If he thinks I need to replace them, I'll probably first look for NOS or better condition used drums. The same drum was used on 3/4 tons 1953-59, so there might be some decent drums around (if I get to that point, I may ping you off list MT). Repops would be my last choice, but thanks MT for pointing out that any would have to be DOT approved. Thanks again.