I have a 1964 Catalina wagon with the 8 lug drum brakes. I don't have a lot of experience with front drums. Looks like I have two problems. First, the car pulls hard right when applying the brakes. Is this possibly a bad brake line or wheel cylinder? Second, one of my front drums looks like the aluminum is cracking away at the inner portion of the steel insert. If anyone could please help me with how to repair this drum or do I have to replace? Should I just get rid of the 8 lug and convert to disc brakes with 5 lug? I am trying to get this car ready to drive to the HAMB Drags in three weeks. Thanks for any help.
I had the same problem on my 64 Catalina. Rebuilt everything, wheel cylinders, new hardware, new shoes. That fixed it. I had a groove in the left front drum and turned it down to max. diameter spec and still had a slight groove. Drove it that way for a couple of years and then found a drum an E-bay. Drums are getting harder to find. Good luck.
I just bought the car. It has new brakes but I cant tell if they replaced the wheel cyl or the front rubber lines. I dont think they replace the master cyl. Thanks, Chase
Does sound like a wheel cylinder. As far as the separation that may be caused by moisture\corrosion and I don't know if that can be repaired, somebody else may help you with that. Don't believe anybody is relining the 8 lug drum at this point. There is a new 8 lug front drum becoming available soon but I'm not sure if actually on the market just yet. Disc brake conversions are available from diff. sources. Scarebird.com has a good one that uses a custom bracket and off the shelf parts, probably run you about $500 if you do your labor. Rubber brake hoses can also come apart internally causing uneven brake pressure. I did wheel cylinders and hoses on my '63 just to be on the safe side but I'm about ready to convert to discs.
I don't know this to be a fact but have heard some parts on these interchange with GM 3/4 ton pickups, drums wouldn't be aluminum though.
Check on the Yahoo group Pontiac 1950s;if I remember correctly someone does reline the 8-lug drums.I think they charge about $200 a drum though.I met a guy several years ago who had a complete set of NOS 8-lug drums,shoes,backing plates and hardware as well as wheels,lugs,center caps and rings.Only problem was he wanted 3 grand for everything! Today that would probably be a bargain.
The only guy I know of that was relining 8 lug drums was Roger Riehl, and unfortunately, he died about a year and a half ago. I've heard that his son has taken over the business, but I can't substantiate it. If the liner is separating from the drum, your only choice is reline or replace. Let me know if you can't find a drum locally.
I have several sets of there, and the "guts" of the drum usually look pretty shitty. they look like they are cracked to death,when it is just casting flaws any chance we could get a picture of the villan?
Obviously chicks dig 8-lugs! (i do too - and that pic!) Keep them man! I would never swap those out to a 5 lug set-up...
My truck pulled hard to the right braking and it turned out to be a axle seal leaking gear oil making the LEFT REAR brake grab. Check all four wheels for a fluid, oil or bearing grease leak, and also weak, stretched or wrong shoe return springs
Those are the best looking wheel/drum combination ever made. If I ever get a big Poncho, those are going on the car.
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