Brake Drum Surface and Wear Inspection

Brake Drum Surface and Wear Inspection

Tools Required:
^ J8001 Dial Indicator Set, or equivalent

Caution: Refer to Brake Dust Caution in Service Precautions.

1. With the brake drum removed, clean the braking (friction) surface of the brake drum with denatured alcohol or an equivalent approved brake cleaner.
2. Inspect the braking surface of the brake drum for the following braking surface conditions:
^ Heavy rust and/or pitting. Light surface rust can be removed with an abrasive disc; heavy surface rust and/or pitting must be removed by refinishing the drum.
^ Cracks and/or heat spots
^ Excessive blueing discoloration
^ Missing balance weights

3. If the braking surface of the brake drum exhibits 1 or more of the braking surface conditions, the drum requires refinishing or replacement.





4. Using a brake drum micrometer calibrated in thousands of an inch, measure and record any grooves present on the drum braking surface. Ensure that the measurements are only taken within the brake shoe lining contact area.
5. Compare the groove, scoring, depth recorded to the following specification:
Brake drum maximum allowable scoring 1.5 mm (0.06 inch).
6. If the brake drum scoring depth exceeds the specification, or if an excessive amount of scoring is present, the drum requires refinishing or replacement.
7. Mount the brake drum on a brake lathe.
8. Mount a dial indicator, J8001 or equivalent, and position the indicator button so it contacts the braking surface of the brake drum at a 90 degree angle, approximately 19 mm (0.75 inch) from the drum's outer edge.
9. Measure and record the radial runout of the brake drum.
1. Rotate the drum until the lowest reading is displayed on the indicator dial, then zero the dial.
2. Rotate the drum until the highest reading is displayed on the dial.

10. Compare the radial runout of the brake drum to the following specification:
Brake drum maximum allowable radial runout 0.06 mm (0.0024 inch).
11. If the brake drum radial runout exceeds the specification, the drum requires refinishing or replacement.