OK, I need some helps with Brakes on my 36 5-W. I am converting my wide-5's to 16" steelies. I am all set with the Front. I have a pair of 40 rear drums that the hubs are good, but the drums are shot. I have a swedge cutter, so I am going to separate the hubs from the drums. So here is the question. If I buy replacement drums, do they have to be swedged back to the original hub, or can I just run the drum over the hub, with the wheel and lug nuts holding the drum in place? It is very confusing what the manufactures of these drums say. I am having no luck at all locating useable rear drums, so my only choice is to look at using these new drum options. Any guidance that could be offered is most appreciated!
I bought the MT Brake Products Bendix brake drum kit and their replacement drums. They slide over the studs and are held in place by the lug nuts. They also could be used and held in place using lug nuts and the original hubs but I chose to buy new replacement hubs which come with the studs installed.
As long as the drum center hole and the hub locating od are a close fit, the studs will do fine..49' up has no issues
I replaced the drums without swedging on my '40 about 2 years ago. Probably have at least 10,000 miles on them by now, no problems.
Once you cut the swedge there is nothing left holding the original studs in place. There are press-in serrated studs marketed for use with the cast iron repop drums. The drum is then retained by the wheel and lug nuts.
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