Aluminum Rear Drum Info

Greg Barsamian · 02-02-2010, 03:44 PM

In what year, make & models, ( S-10's) and / or vehicles did GM install Aluminum Rear Brake Drums?

Thanks
Greg

W J · 02-02-2010, 04:19 PM

Greg, I'm almost certain that many of the Buick GN cars circa 1987 used aluminum rear drums....maybe someone here will respond to this....WJ

sterling simmons jr · 02-02-2010, 05:02 PM

Greg do you need some cheap.
804-387-6087

Jim Kaekel · 02-02-2010, 05:09 PM

This is just my .02, but I don't think the risk is worth the reward. I had a pair on my car several years ago and both developed cracks in the inner iron sleeve after just a couple of races. The friend that that got them for me worked at a muffler shop and said he had seen many of them cracked on street-driven cars, and told me to keep a close eye on them and that they were noted for cracking. I took them off and tossed them in the trash after finding cracks. I know of a couple of stockers that have run into the sand trap because of shattered aluminum brake drums.

427_ED · 02-02-2010, 06:14 PM

I've seen them on '79-81 Malibus. The combination of ferrous and non-ferrous metals causes electrolysis problems. Don't use them.

Doug Blackley · 02-02-2010, 06:41 PM

Sometimes find them on 3rd gen Camaros and Firebirds.

Tom keedle · 02-02-2010, 07:22 PM

hmmmm, never heard of 'em cracking but i don't do a lot of brake jobs....
i DO have a pair laying around, though, if somebody needs 'em...

hell, i'll even resurface 'em..

Robert Swartz · 02-02-2010, 07:48 PM

Interesting, I'd considered this simply from a mass/weight viewpoint. What I'm thinking now, this might just be a "trick" idea that simply yields more potential headaches. Last thing I want is 3400 lb car running in 120mph range that doesn't want to stop? I'll file this in the bad ideas column.

Thanks guys.

Tod Lane · 02-02-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427_ED

I've seen them on '79-81 Malibus. The combination of ferrous and non-ferrous metals causes electrolysis problems. Don't use them.

Besides the electolysis one has to wonder about the different thermal properties as well. Seems like that would lead to cracking before anything else

FED 387 · 02-02-2010, 09:48 PM

Greg- sent u a PM-Comp 387

02-02-2010, 03:44 PM	#1
Greg Barsamian VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 1,383 Likes: 609 Liked 390 Times in 84 Posts	Aluminum Rear Drum Info In what year, make & models, ( S-10's) and / or vehicles did GM install Aluminum Rear Brake Drums? Thanks Greg

02-02-2010, 04:19 PM	#2
W J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Paxton, Massachusetts Posts: 638 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info Greg, I'm almost certain that many of the Buick GN cars circa 1987 used aluminum rear drums....maybe someone here will respond to this....WJ

02-02-2010, 05:02 PM	#3
sterling simmons jr Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chesterfield,Va. Posts: 376 Likes: 194 Liked 132 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info Greg do you need some cheap. 804-387-6087 __________________ Sterling Simmons jr 1131 STK

02-02-2010, 05:09 PM	#4
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,222 Likes: 134 Liked 498 Times in 104 Posts	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info This is just my .02, but I don't think the risk is worth the reward. I had a pair on my car several years ago and both developed cracks in the inner iron sleeve after just a couple of races. The friend that that got them for me worked at a muffler shop and said he had seen many of them cracked on street-driven cars, and told me to keep a close eye on them and that they were noted for cracking. I took them off and tossed them in the trash after finding cracks. I know of a couple of stockers that have run into the sand trap because of shattered aluminum brake drums. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

02-02-2010, 06:14 PM	#5
427_ED Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nicholasville, KY Posts: 264 Likes: 44 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info I've seen them on '79-81 Malibus. The combination of ferrous and non-ferrous metals causes electrolysis problems. Don't use them.

02-02-2010, 06:41 PM	#6
Doug Blackley Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hanover, MA Posts: 430 Likes: 3 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info Sometimes find them on 3rd gen Camaros and Firebirds. __________________ Doug Blackley 1697 STK

02-02-2010, 07:22 PM	#7
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info hmmmm, never heard of 'em cracking but i don't do a lot of brake jobs.... i DO have a pair laying around, though, if somebody needs 'em... hell, i'll even resurface 'em..

02-02-2010, 07:48 PM	#8
Robert Swartz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nineveh, Indiana Posts: 512 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info Interesting, I'd considered this simply from a mass/weight viewpoint. What I'm thinking now, this might just be a "trick" idea that simply yields more potential headaches. Last thing I want is 3400 lb car running in 120mph range that doesn't want to stop? I'll file this in the bad ideas column. Thanks guys. __________________ Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock

02-02-2010, 09:48 PM	#10
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 328 Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts	Re: Aluminum Rear Drum Info Greg- sent u a PM-Comp 387