Well as I mentioned in another post I had taken apart my 8 3/4" rear axle that I had assembed years ago and couldn't remember if I had greased the bearings or not. Long story short, I did. But in reassembling it and adjusting the rear brake shoes I noticed that I couldn't really adjust them correctly as the drums (11" x 2 1/2") were out of round. That is, I could rotate the assembly and feel the wheel get harder to turn as the wheel got to a certain point, then it would get easier to turn after it got past that point.

I don't know if the drums have been turned before- they might have enough meat on them to correct this but in case they don't and I need to just get new drums- how hard are they to get? The drums I have are finned and I'd like to get another finned set. The local O'Reilly's THINKS they can get a set in- they've got it on order since it's not in stock (of course). I've got a bad feeling though that they were made 'offshore'.

If this fails, is there another source I could go to? New would be nice of course but if a decent set can't be had, I'd consider used in good shape.

Suggestions? Thanks!
David

RockAuto has them

Cool- Found them- Bendix PDR0365, even has the fins on them.

Thanks!!!

Don't forget about the discount code.
137418739923866

5% off until May 12, 2013

Are you sure the barkers are assembled true? If you reverse the shoes they can drag. Are they adjusted so that tight? Did you measure and adjust them to fit?

Amazon.com used to sell 11" drum for $32-$35.. Bendex and Raybestos but they doubled in price.

Ok got a question- got one of the drums from Rock today (the other is being drop-shipped from another location) and they're exactly like my originals except for one detail. The center hole seems to have a slight ridge on it while my original does not- it was completely flat. Is it still usable? I'm thinking that the rim won't seat flush on the drum with that ridge being there (it's about 1/16" tall- maybe less) Anyone using these drums have any problems with their rims not mounting right?

Thanks!
David

Need a pic

original ones had the ridge at the hub...bob

Mine doesn't have that ridge either.
Check your rim, does it make contact there?

All of the original Mopar OEM brake drums, regardless of size or years, had that little ridge Maybe yours have been replaced before with some cheaper after market ones The stock steel wheels are curved in away from where they center on the axle rings The brake drum ridge will not, should not, be a factor on the stock wheels

Doesn't appear that way to me.

Mine have the PN and Pentastar cast in, wouldn't think after-market replacement would do that.

Either way, it sounds like it shouldn't be an issue.

Don't worry about it. Some drums had the ridge, some didn't.

Your wheels will fit.

Its the 11 inch backing plates that are hard to find.

What about having your current shoes arced to fit your current drums? Here they do for $5 per corner/fast turnaround/good finish on the shoes. It dont seem like they take off hardly any material but I've checked before/after & way more contact area afterwards & I was surprised how little contact there was before in supposedly "concentric" drums/linings. EDIT even new stuff will be slightly out of round & have a point where there is contact at that 1 point as tthe wheel/drum rotates & even if the drum is perfect the rest of the shoe assy ain't & will have that 1 place that will make contact first