Is it scary, or just slightly less stopping power. I'm talking about drilled front backing plates for drums. Any experiences?
Probably lets the water out better than the original setup; I wouldn't anticipate any more problems than usual.
They aren't waterproof before you the drill the holes, thus 'brake fade' was common with stock drum brakes after driving through a big puddle.
Sounds like a problem waitng to happen!! Just drive carefully in the rain if you decide to drill those out..
We were taught to apply the brakes lightly after fording a stream or a huge puddle. The shoes need to be under water for a problem to occur but is easily rectified by applying the brakes to dry out the linings. It doesn't take a lot. You won't get enough water splashing into the holes to cause a problem.
Besides rain water, has dirt or gravel ever gotten through anyone's drilled backing plates and affected braking??? Thanks.