Can Brake Drums Be Machined?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Machining your drums or rotors can bring back a warped part and extend its service life. To do this, you need a piece of equipment called a

brake lathe

. You can mount your warped rotors or drums to this machine and it will actually cut a new surface into the drum or rotor.

How much does it cost to machine brake drums?

Brake Drum Replacement Cost – RepairPal Estimate.

Labor costs are estimated between $51 and $64

while parts are priced between $154 and $165. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Can semi brake drums turn?

WARNING:

DO NOT TURN

OR WEAR A BRAKE DRUM OR ROTOR BEYOND THE MAXIMUM DIAMETER OR MINIMUM THICKNESS STAMPED OR CAST ON THE BRAKE DRUM OR ROTOR. The maximum diameter or discard diameter is the maximum diameter to which the brake drum may be turned or worn, and still be usable.

Can you skim brake drums?

So to remove some distortions both the brake disc or brake drum understand goes

skimming

. A lathe machine is used to perform this exercise. This exercise is carried out by a person who has done machining. When the disc or drum is warped, it will also be correct by skimming.

Does O'Reilly resurface brake drums?

Most O'Reilly Auto Parts

locations can resurface your vehicle's drums and rotors

if they measure within specs and aren't showing signs of extreme wear. Surface finish is crucial to proper vehicle braking and pad life and should always be part of a complete brake job.

Do brake drums need to be resurfaced?

Drums need to have a relatively smooth friction surface inside. A rough surface will reduce brake life as well as braking efficiency. So if the drums are rough, they will have to be resurfaced to restore the friction surface to like-new condition.

Drums should always be resurfaced in pairs

.

What is brake skimming?

What is brake skimming? Brake skimming the process of

skimming the brake discs of your vehicle to restore its surface

. Most of the time, car owners choose ventilated discs but others choose solid discs. This service has gained popularity due to its affordability and ability to restore the brake discs.

What is skimming in machining?


Re-facing of a machined surface within allowable tolerances and surface finish of the CPD or API specification

.

How much does it cost to turn drums?

It cost

$15 per drum/rotor

to turn them. When drums or rotors are turned, a small amount of material is removed to make them true again. Sometimes it comes to a point in which drums have reached their maximum diameter or rotors have reached their minimum thickness, at that point they would have to be replaced.

How much does it cost to get brake rotors resurfaced?

RepairPal.com, according to its quotes from mechanics across the United States, noted the average price could average

between $235 and $329

, with labor costs estimated to be $158 and $200, while parts are priced between $77 and $129.

Does O Reilly's turn rotors?

Drum & Rotor Resurfacing

Most O'Reilly Auto Parts

locations can resurface your vehicle's drums and rotors

if they measure within specs and aren't showing signs of extreme wear. Surface finish is crucial to proper vehicle braking and pad life and should always be part of a complete brake job.

How do I know if my brake drums are bad?

One of the first symptoms of bad or failing is unusual brake pedal feel. If the brake drums are

worn excessively they can cause vibrations that may be felt in the pedal

. Worn drums may also cause shuddering or pulsating that will become noticeable once you step on the pedal.

How do you know when drum brakes need replacing?

  1. Inconsistent brake pedal feel. If the rear brakes are drum brakes, the driver may feel vibrations under braking. …
  2. Hand brake feels loose. If the hand brake requires a hard yank to keep the car from rolling off, chances are the brake shoes need replacing. …
  3. Scraping noise while braking.

How can you tell if a brake drum is out of round?

Martensite spotted drums have extremely hard, slightly raised, dark colored spots on the braking surface, shown uneven wear and the surface is out-of-round. This condition may

cause excessive noise or shudder during brake applications

. Unless this is detected very early, the brake drum should be scrapped.

How do I know if my brake discs need skimming?

All brake discs can be skimmed

at least once

. The only time your brake discs should be replaced is when they reach minimum thickness. Leading manufacturers have approved the Pro-Cut process of brake disc skimming. Brake disc skimming is a better quality and lower cost alternative to brake disc replacement.”

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.