Re: Drum Vs Disc... (a rant)

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

<snip>
> > 3) Even on the first brake pad replacement, the rotors are ALWAYS:
> >       a) too warped to be resurfaced
> >       -or-
> >       b) too thin to be resurfaced
> >
> >               ...and therefore cost $150+ per wheel.
> >
> > 4) Cost (per pair): Pads-$20    Resurface-$0 (See #3)  New
> > Rotors-$300   New tool to remove calipers-$25
> >       TOTAL-$345
>
> rotors arent that expensive for all vehicles. For my Eagle I can get 
> rotors for $25 each and pads for $15 per set.
>
> No new tools required. Rotors $50, pads $15. I do the work myself so $65 
> in parts. I can even throw in new calipers for $17 each so add another $34 
> to that and I am still not over $100.
>
> The only problem I had on the f-150 is, because of it being a 4 wheel 
> drive, we did need a special tool to take the hub apart. We did have to 
> replace one rotor cause my boss didn't check it out when it started having 
> problems so by the time I finally insisted on checking it the rotor was 
> ground down too bad to be resurfaced. Pads for that were $30 because he 
> got the "heavy duty" ones, rotor was $20. Calipers would have been $20 
> each. So if we had replaced both rotors and the calipers it would have 
> been $30 for pads, $40 for rotors and $40 for calipers for a grand total 
> of $110.
<snip>

If you want longer pad life, get better pads. I've been using Performance 
Friction carbon metallic pads for quite a while and they last a long time 
(I got over 70,000 miles on the set I put on my 96 Ram). They also are 
easier on the rotors and stop better (they get even better with a little 
heat). Factory brake pads stink on most cars anymore and even the cheap 
replacement ones are usually better.


> When I did the brakes on my american (drums). I had to replace both front 
> drums and one rear drum at a cost of $40 each, all 4 wheel cylinders at a 
> cost of $25 each, springs (hold down kits) at a cost of $14 per side and 
> self adjuster kits at $15 per axle and brake shoes at $12 per axle. so we 
> have drums $120, wheel cylinders $100, springs $28, adjusters $30, brake 
> shoes $24 for a total of $302. So if I had replaced that 4th drum I would 
> have been at $342 making the total price $171 per axle. Almost 2 times the 
> cost of disc brakes on my eagle or my boss' ford. On the other hand, those 
> drum brakes should last a while. Not long after doing all of the brakes my 
> master cylinder went out. I bought a new one for $14 and then paid another 
> $10 for fittings to make it work so I am into my american for $325 on 
> brakes. The only things that haven't been replaced is one drum and the lines.
<snip>

Where did you get drums for $40?

Matt

mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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