Frequently warping drums

[sikoticbrown]

Hi everyone. I have had problems for the past 4 1/2 years with frequently warping rear brake drums. To date, I have probably went through 15 pairs and they're not the el cheapo brand drums either... 8 of those, my mechanic was just trying to figure out what was going on, in which case he said he had no idea on what was going on and to just take it to the dealer... I have family at that dealer and he has no idea what going on. Every time I have checked the brakes in back there is no oil on them and I never set my emergency brake. I just leave it in first since I have a five speed. My e-brake cable is in working order and releases as it should. There is no evidence of warped axles or anything to that extent. I never run through any kind of water or anything like that. I'm just baffled ... Oh and by "frequently warping drums", I mean a new set will be out of round in less than 250 miles. They're starting to lock up at this point, which scares me, so before I replace them again I was going to see if any of you had any light on my situation. Thanks in advance!

Chris

 

[srteach]

Heat is what usually warps the brakes. Is the rear bearing OK? I assume nothing is dragging.

The next most common cause I see (personally, not professionally) is the front disc brakes being out of true. Sounds funny, but that has turned out to be the cause in 3 of the 4 rear drum warp issues I have encountered.

Hope this helps.

 

[sikoticbrown]

Thanks for the reply. Actually I had front and back brakes replaced at the same time and a week to two weeks later the rear drums were already out of true again. The heat issue is definitely something that intrigues me that I forgot to mention earlier. I live 5 miles from town and I was having the brakes looked at and one of the mechanics burnt his hand one one of the drums... I don't know how much heat they are supposed to generate with that short of distance, but they were definitely warm. I don't ride my brakes either, just saying.

 

[Toofarnorth]

Thanks for the reply. Actually I had front and back brakes replaced at the same time and a week to two weeks later the rear drums were already out of true again. The heat issue is definitely something that intrigues me that I forgot to mention earlier. I live 5 miles from town and I was having the brakes looked at and one of the mechanics burnt his hand one one of the drums... I don't know how much heat they are supposed to generate with that short of distance, but they were definitely warm. I don't ride my brakes either, just saying.

I have experienced a collapsed brake hose acting as a one way valve and not releasing properly and causing the brake to drag. Although on a rear axle that would affect both sides as there is only 1 hose.

 

[srteach]

I have experienced a collapsed brake hose acting as a one way valve and not releasing properly and causing the brake to drag. Although on a rear axle that would affect both sides as there is only 1 hose.

Good idea, Toofarnorth.
I think he is having problems with both rear brake drums.

I didn't think of the hose. If the hose acts as described above, the brake shoes will never back away from the drums, and will warp them through heat.
Check the rubber hose between the axle hard line and the body hard line: If it is soft or spongy at any point when squeezed by hand, it's bad. If it leaves crumbles (particles) on your fingers, it's bad.

Friction is what builds heat AND stops the vehicle. There should be heat from braking, which cools rapidly when (if) the brake shoes actually pull away from the drums. If the mechanic burned his hands, the brakes were dragging for some reason. The springs are what pulls the brakes off the rear drums.

 

[sikoticbrown]

Thank you both so much for the help!!! I'll check it ASAP and tell you what I find out.

 

[sikoticbrown]

So I checked under the truck today and the flexible brake line doesn't seem like it's spongy or anything. Although I will probably go ahead and change it just to be sure. Any other ideas as to what it could be?

 

[88_Eddie]

you can get a brake hardware kit from autozone for ~$8, i'd replace all the hardware to be sure your springs arent worn out and are keeping the shoes from rubbing the drums after the pedal is released.