What do I do about this (aka another brake question - this time drums)

PaulButler

So I have stripped out the passenger side front brakes and the drum is badly rusted on this inside so is there enough metal on there to get them skimmed? I seem to remember reading somewhere that they are quite "thin" so it's not recommended but I thought I'd ask the people who know!

The rears are rusted as well but not as bad; I reckon I can clean those up okay

Pictures attached for comment

bob ward

Assuming you were going to get them skimmed, I'd let the brake shop make that decision. They usually have a bead blasting cabinet so they can clean them properly before they make a decision.

Modern drums and discs have specified minimums they can be machined to, machining drums of this age is a judgement call.

PaulButler

Thanks Bob ; it's when I get to this stage that I start to think it's too much for me .... how do I make that judgement call with zero engineering experience and how do I find a brake shop that understands these old things that can help

bob ward

Re the judgement call, the brake shop will give you their opinion and effectively make the call for you. They aren't going to (or at least shouldn't) skim drums that are too thin.

As to who to use, avoid the chain and franchise brake shops, find a small privately owned shop. 

Frankvintagefullflowcom

If the shop refers to brake shoes as "pads", walk away briskly.

F

PaulButler

Thanks Bob & Frank!

I've been doing some digging around and think I may have found a couple of places locally that look as if they know what they are doing but being a Sunday I'll have to wait until tomorrow to talk to them!