My backing plates do not have an inspection cover to adjust the brakes. I was thinking it might be ok to drill an inspection hole on the drum itself. Ideal, no, but I am thinking it might be better than removing the drum each time to adjust the rear brakes. FYI not that it matters but these are 57 vintage chevy drums. Thanks.
Seems like iv seen stock drums w ajusting holes on something. OH! I bet it was the car w no holes in the plates....be a rebel drill the drums
Drill away. Backing plates if you can, drums if you can't. Plenty of cars have adjustment holes in the drums, and are not balanced. If you are that concerned, drill two holes, same size, opposite each other.
I can do the backing plates, just gonna mean removing them first. Was looking for an easy drum out, guess thats not gonna happen. Thanks all ye wisemen!
just drop the slave cylinders out and drill the backing plates mounted on the car ..... dont forget to drill thru the steel brakeline while your at it lol .... o waite thats something id do ........
If the backing plates don't have slots, the stock drums should. Corvair had slots in the drums but you had to finish knocking out the stamped hole. http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=3294 The standard rubber plugs for backing plates fit, But my velvetouch brake shoes worked so good I melted or evaporated them.
My Chevy C30 has the oval slots in the front drums, from the factory. Hell ya I'd even go so far as milling the correct slot in your drums so the rubber plugs fit right. And balance should not be an issue.
You can drill either the backing plate or the drum, that will be a matter of personal preference. If you drill the drum you won't be removing enough material to make a difference that would "require" re-balancing.
ive drilled a few drums and never balanced the first one. didnt have any trouble either.but if you can drill the b.plate if not go for the drums. you aint gonna hurt them!
I have a '37 Chevy coupe with stock front drums that have brake adjustment access holes in the face. There's a small circular plate that rotates closed when the holes is not being used.
Did you change your brakes because stock 57 Chevys have the adjustment slot on the backing plate. Don't drill your drums just buy one of these tools. Click on link below http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Brake-S..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item1e7585acf8&vxp=mtr
or three holes at 120*, or five at 72*... or like Waddayacare says, drill one and don't worry about it.
The factory backing plates on my 61 Vette have the adjustment slots but the Traction Master setup is in the way. Recently I added self-adjusters to the Vettes rear brakes and replacement drums from RockAuto and the new drums had an 'outline' already lightly stamped in the face of the drum so all I had to do was drill it out. \ Drill the drums, it's not going to be a problem. Mike T.