Switching to 3” drums.

[69polara440]

If my 69 Polara came from the factory with 2” brakes what other than 3” drums and pads do I need? Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

[69polara440]

If my 69 Polara came from the factory with 2” brakes what other than 3” drums and pads do I need? Thanks in advance for your responses!

To make the switch?

 

[LocuMob]

Backing plates.

 

[mobileparts]

If your car is equipped with the light duty system --- which has 11" x 2 3/4" Fronts & 11" x 2" Rears....
Changing the Rears to the bigger system -- you will be far more likely to find 11" x 2 1/2" in the Rear.....
11" x 3" in the Rear was only used in Ambulances & Police Cars, etc., etc......& The trailer towing package Vehicles (as Ross points out in the next listing....)
Could be tough to find 11" x 3" Rear Backing Plates......
(Different than Fronts -- wheel cylinders are mounted very differently.....)
(This site could be helpful, in that regard....)

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Also, keep in mind that many 3" braking systems were not equipped with automatic self adjusters, as they were primarily for fleet sales as noted above, and it was assumed that such vehicles were subject to monthly inspections and maintenance, and that brake adjustments would be routinely performed by a mechanic.

However, those few cars released to the public that were special ordered with 3" brakes (like my 66 Monaco), for trailer towing etc, were equipped with automatic self adjusters.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Backing plate, shoes, drums. You may also need longer retaining pins.

 

[Imperialist67]

while we're on this subject, I'm not sure if my New Yorker ('67) has the 2 1/2 or 3" but it does NOT seem otherwise set up for towing. Brakes work fine, and stop it very effectively without pulling to either side, however when they heat up, start to squeak, etc., to where it sounds like a school bus coming to a stop. I don't expect silence, but don't think they should be THAT loud...…

Anyone know what this might be from? Thinking of having mine checked before going to an AACA show in Gettysburg in November...…… THANKS

.

 

[mobileparts]

Incidentally, 69 polara 440,
I do have N.O.S. ++ Asbestos ++ Brake Shoes -- for
All of the aforementioned -- 2", 2 1/2", & 3" wide -- with every Rear Brake Drum for all of the above....
I do have all the wheel cylinders and brake hardware -- the Combi kits with hold down hardware -- and as
70bigblockdodge points out -- you WILL need different brake hardware -- and if you want to go with self-adjuster kits -- as Ross points out -- I have all of that for you also.....

When you need me or want me, Always best to simply call me --- Craig --- 516 - 485 - 1935... New York.

 

[mobileparts]

Imperialist67,
To answer your question, if you have these new garbage Chineseum brakes in your car... They are way too gritty -- and as they TRY to brake --- they are NOT nice soft smoooooth +++ Asbestos +++
And they grip and grab, And rip and shred, as they
Attempt to slow down a Real Vehicle !!!!!
(And, Yes, You will hear that !!!! )
Yours, Craig......

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

@Imperialist67 - noisy drums? In addition to what Craig @mobileparts says, brake drums by virtue of being drums (think music) will vibrate howl and moan depending on the various type of shoes used, the state of the drum (too thin, got overheated, etc), shoes not seated and/or properly arced to fit (severely reduced sweeping area), yadda yadda.

In the old days drums were known for these issues and got wrapped with an anti-moan dampener - basically a very long coil spring that sat in a groove around the exterior of the drum.

Often lost due to corrosion or simply not replaced during servicing, they actually worked quite well. However, many aftermarket replacement drums do not have the groove cast in them, and the springs can't be mounted anyhow.

Check yours for the groove, and spring, and replace the spring if not there, as well as looking for issues regarding shoe to drum fit.

If Craig doesn't have them, the springs are made in reproduction for the full size Chevy crowd - search for early 60s Impala drum brake anti vibration dampener.

Impala Parts - 1958-1964 Brake Drum Anti-Vibration Spring

 

[69polara440]

Incidentally, 69 polara 440,
I do have N.O.S. ++ Asbestos ++ Brake Shoes -- for
All of the aforementioned -- 2", 2 1/2", & 3" wide -- with every Rear Brake Drum for all of the above....
I do have all the wheel cylinders and brake hardware -- the Combi kits with hold down hardware -- and as
70bigblockdodge points out -- you WILL need different brake hardware -- and if you want to go with self-adjuster kits -- as Ross points out -- I have all of that for you also.....

When you need me or want me, Always best to simply call me --- Craig --- 516 - 485 - 1935... New York.

Thank you sir!

 

[Imperialist67]

Imperialist67,
To answer your question, if you have these new garbage Chineseum brakes in your car... They are way too gritty -- and as they TRY to brake --- they are NOT nice soft smoooooth +++ Asbestos +++
And they grip and grab, And rip and shred, as they
Attempt to slow down a Real Vehicle !!!!!
(And, Yes, You will hear that !!!! )
Yours, Craig......

good to know - and I have heard this about the Chineseum parts - however, I don't know which size is correct for my New Yorker. Glad to pick up some asbestos, if I can determine which size is correct...…..

 

[Imperialist67]

@Imperialist67 - noisy drums? In addition to what Craig @mobileparts says, brake drums by virtue of being drums (think music) will vibrate howl and moan depending on the various type of shoes used, the state of the drum (too thin, got overheated, etc), shoes not seated and/or properly arced to fit (severely reduced sweeping area), yadda yadda.

In the old days drums were known for these issues and got wrapped with an anti-moan dampener - basically a very long coil spring that sat in a groove around the exterior of the drum.

Often lost due to corrosion or simply not replaced during servicing, they actually worked quite well. However, many aftermarket replacement drums do not have the groove cast in them, and the springs can't be mounted anyhow.

Check yours for the groove, and spring, and replace the spring if not there, as well as looking for issues regarding shoe to drum fit.

If Craig doesn't have them, the springs are made in reproduction for the full size Chevy crowd - search for early 60s Impala drum brake anti vibration dampener.

Impala Parts - 1958-1964 Brake Drum Anti-Vibration Spring

View attachment 408413

thanks for this great advice - I'm familiar with moaning, and the "music" they make, and slightly different feel, but the anti-vibration dampener sounds like a good idea...….

 

[LocuMob]

I don't know which size is correct for my New Yorker... if I can determine which size is correct...…..

Measure the width of the pad, not the drum.