Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

Hello,

i have to replace my rear (metal) drums and i found the following alu drums at rockauto:

https://www.rockauto.com/de/moreinfo...251537&jsn=719

what do you think about the parts are there any advantages and disadvantages to the heavy metal drums? maybe do the alus have a faster abrasion as the metal drums?

Thanks!

Andreas

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

I wouldn't think they would last long, before I would do that I would rob the discs off of a 4th gen from the bone yard.

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

It's a SLIGHT "performance" upgrade since you lose a little unsprung weight, but at the price point it's probably better to just put discs on the rear instead

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

Pretty sure the aluminum drums are steel lined... Regardless the benefit to aluminum is light weight, less unsprung weight, reduced rotating mass, etc. Not really worth it for the repro dollar.

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

Drew is correct about the steel linings. They also shed heat more quickly then all steel drums.

They are an easy upgrade over the stock drums. If you go with rear disc brakes be careful of the ones you select. Some are junk, others are decent, and others are nothing but problems.

Look into it a bunch before slapping any 'ole disc brakes on there.

RBob.

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

You will save 4-5 lbs each and they are steel lined. I picked up a set a few months ago and put them on. Thread below for pictures.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...installed.html

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

RBob is correct - the major benefit is that the AL drums will shed heat more quickly than iron drums. Used to be an old autocross trick back when rear discs weren't common. Several of the upscale GM brands sold cars with AL drums back in the 60s.

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

The drums came on some F-bodys, a lot of 80s G-bodys and I've heard 80s S10s but I've never seen them on there factory.

Re: Aluminium Brake Drums?
 

Any discs will beat the heck out of Al drums for braking and heat dissipation. Though some are better than others. The proviso would be new rotors and pads.