When to replace drums?

As of right now, I still haven't done the driver side. The noise has been so reduced by just doing the passenger side that it is very low on my list. I'm off work tomorrow, so maybe then...depends on what time I get done with yard work.

I checked for a lip. They are smooth. I did use brake clean on the drums.

Keep us posted, though that really isn't relevant to the question at hand.

Good to know. When did you replace the pads?

 

Hell yeah dude! Only time I cracked the drums is due to the dumb fucks at the tire shop damaged a stud. Everything looked factory with plenty of life. Left everything alone and carried on. Btw, YT channel follower here

 

Well, just an update. I cleaned the driver side rear drum and 95+% of the noise is gone. I ran out of brake klean though, so I didn't get to clean the entire thing. If/when the noise comes back, I'll take them off and clean again. For now, the answer to my original question:

178k is too soon to replace anything based on my driving habits.

Cleaning them was super easy and well worth the brake cleaner used.

 

being former tech, never hurts to pop the drums off, get a big old catch basin up under blast the ever-loving hell out of everything with a sprayer hose. let it drip dry a bit, then blast it all clean with some brake cleaner. let that dry while you do the other side then clean the drums out and put it back together, and then do a drag adjustment with the parking brake. you would be suprised how much that makes a difference in rear brakes.

thinking i may check mine out this weekend I'm likely due and I've no idea how warn my rears are at 191k.

 

old rule of thumb ... braking stoppage breakdown ... about 70 percent to front disc brakes and 30 percent to rear drums ... so the discs wear out much quicker than the drums ... drums are "western wagon wheel" technology ...

 

I'm betting they still have good meat on them.