1956 rear brake drum help needed

I need to know where the best place to get rear brake drums for a 1956 oldsmobile..or what other car i could use the drums from...the bolt pattern is a 5X5 and i measured the inside its 11 inch across and 3 inch deep and has a 3 inch hole for the hub...i pulled mine and im pretty sure they are shot...thanks

 

rear brake drums...

 

hollander manual says 54-56 interchange, olds only. max turning diameter is 11.06"
i seen kanter has them for $99

 

thanks 1954 rocket 98..i did see those..im hoping to find some alittle bit cheaper..surely there has to be some brake drums on other later models that match like sixties or 70's...you got me wondering though...i wonder what the brake drum diameter was originaly..anyone anyone?

 

11.00 "

 

thanks johnevans...so basically i just have to find a vehicle that has a 5X5 lug pattern with drum that is 11.00 across right...or is there more to this that im missing?

 

I believe the Buick Olds and Pontiac use the same rear drum.My 55 Safari had one Buick drum on the rear when I bought it and it worked fine until I replaced them with new ones.

 

A LOT more involved than just the diameter!! Center hole dia., overall depth ,brake face width and the area where it meets the backing plate. Save yourself some grief and just step up for the correct new ones. Old cars ain't a cheap hobby sometimes.

 

thanks john..i knew the diameter of the drum and the depth of the drum and the diameter of the hub hole but i didnt think about the backing plate width...damn drum makers...why did they have to be sooooo compilcated...tooo many measurements..the whole reason i needed info is i saw on summit that they are selling a bunch of drums at 20-35 a peice...i saw a 11 inch that takes a 2 and a half brake with a 5 x 5 lug pattern...everything seemed just right..rrrrrrrrr....

 

Have you tried your local NAPA store? I have got brake parts for older cars than that. It may take a few days but if they can get them, will be cheaper than Kanter's. What have you got to lose?

PS Wonder where Kanters gets them?

 

I think i will do that..pop on off and head on down to napa..couldnt hurt..and while its off take it to see if anything is left to turn..my gut feeling is NOT...it has some deep grooves and a nice lip formed on the backside...just curious what is that spring circle that was on the passengers side drum for? and look at what i think is the parking brake link..it got all jacked up..i will have to find somewhere to get one..or have to make one

 

Spring is a anti-noise damper and also does a bit for cooling.

 

Thanks john...that is some info i would of never ever guessed...cool...you just filled up one more brain cell...i just love the HAMB..learn stuff that you never ever would have known... thanks...ps do you think the other side had one too and it got swiped? or is just one side suppost to have it?

 

I bet those drums can be turned.

 

tiredford i hope so but im not holding my breath..there is quite a lip on it and in the center there is a u groove that you can feel thats below the normal wear mark..

 

Drum with spring is probably a OEM as I can't recall any after market drums that I ever sold having them. They were know to rust etc and fall off.

 

Any luck on new drums? I need some too, cheaper than Kanter.

 

A few years back, someone on here said he matched a 55 olds rear drum to be the same as a Chevy C10 2wd rear drum. I can't recall if it was the 70-72 style truck or 73 to up style.

I doubt if that thread can be found without any more info.

 

If you can find someone with an old Hollander, there may be other options. Have the drums measured up, you can go .090 over on those. They may be usable.

If you do need new ones, shop around and its a 1-time investment. I just looked at NAPA and Rock Auto... nothin'... so Kanters may be your best bet.

 

Something not mentioned so far, when turning the drums, you do not have to get every bit of the grooves out. The drums will work fine and it can make the difference between using and scrapping the drum. Something to think of when working with old drums that are not readily or economically available.

 

I've done that too, but only on the rears. The linings will conform to every imperfection.

 

Another reason why I shit canned my '56 Pontiac 5on5 wheel stud pattern reared.
Wheel cylinders, axle bearings all that stuff nowhere to be found when you needed it.
I left it on top of the log pile in my front yard in plain view hoping someone would steal it for the scrap value.
No dice, even thieves wouldn't take it.

 

Did the c10 drums work?

 

My book says 52-56 Olds.
Guessing they maybe had a slightly wider shoe than Pontiac? Otherwise kissing cousins.
'39-'57 Pontiac drums interchange are easier to find.