Yesterday I removed a rear drum to check the brake shoe wear. The front shoe is down to paper-thin, so i will order new brake shoes. The drum has very little rust on the outside, and the braking surface is smooth without ridges. However, the ridge at the outside edge is pretty high, mostly rust. I had to back off the adjuster pretty far to get them off. I don't really want to replace both drums as they are pretty good otherwise.

Should I take them to a shop and have them turn the drums to remove the ridge only (no resurfacing of the braking surface)?

Could I just remove most of the ridge myself (with a die grinder or 4" grinder)since it doesn't affect the braking surface?

Thanks
Steve

 

It wouldn't be a bad idea IMO to have them cleaned up properly. But odds are the new shoes will also not touch the ridge.

 

Steve-
If you had to back em down to remove drum. New brake shoes adjusted up will be the same way.. (as u know)...

If you don't want to have them cleaned up on a brake-lathe, you could just grind off the outer ridge off..

I would advise wearing a mask, beathing that crap ain't good.

 

Agree with them just clean them up on the lathe and you will be fine. Don't do it yourself.