Correct drum pads

[brent]

My Drums (66 dodge Monaco with 383) are 3" and 2 and 3/4 Pads on the front brakes. The local parts store can get ahold of 3" pads. Will these actually measure 3"'s and if so, is that an issue inside a 3" drum. Seems like it might be too little room. Any thoughts on any of this?

 

[CBODY67]

The 2.75" width front drum brake shoes are probably accurate for your car. The 3" wide shoes were on HD and Police vehicles. They are supposed to need a backing plate with more offset for the wider shoes, plus the drums should have a wider friction contact area too, with the 3" wide shoes.

I know it might be nice to put the wider shoes on there, but I also doubt you'd really notice much difference. In a continuous HD use situation, that additional lining area might help a bit, BUT in those situations, brake cooling and having a high-heat high-metallic friction material might be of more importance than that extra .25" width of friction material.

DO get the best lining you can get, regardless of the width. ALSO, get a brake shoe adjustment caliper to set the base adjustment with. And make sure the inner drum diameter is still "in spec" for continued use.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[FURYGT]

Putting 3" wide shoes on a drum brake set up can result in problems with getting the wheel bearings tight 2 3/4" shoes are available on eBay and elsewhere, you need to look at places other than AutoZone type stores.

 

[brent]

Found 2 and three quarter inch front shoes through autozone.