Rear brake drums -- $125ea at AutoZone

[chilort]

So, I was going to get a bookshelf with the truck that my fiancee wanted. As I was driving I noticed the brake was getting soft. If I pushed pretty hard, it would go ahead and stop fine, but it was quite a bit further down.

When I got to where we were getting the bookshelf, I pulled the cover off the MC and the rear reservoir was empty. mmm'okay. So I start looking around the back and coming out from under the drum and backing plate on the passenger side rear was brake fluid. Great.

So I got home and let it set all week because I didn't have time to worry about it. Today, I started tearing into it and what a freaking mess. Both drums are totally shot.It looks like someone wore the last set of shoes down to the rivets, and didn't replace the drums when they put new shoes on. So, not only do I have a busted wheel cylinder, but now I need new drums.

I went to AutoZone. They are 1) out of the drums, and 2) they cost $125 each. I've thought about looking at the junk yard but ... I dunno. Suggestions?

Oh wow, Advance wants over $150. I might have to risk the JY.

[MOPAT]

For new drums those prices sound about right. Bought new front drums for my W200 a few years ago and they were ~$120.00/ea.
OLD ain't necessarily cheap.

[chilort]

Are these the same as any 8 3/4 with 11" drums?

I'm guessing not. The Paddock sells two types of 11" rear drums. One is for a 2" wide brake and the other is for a 2 1/2" brake.

http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/pro ... 1CDC59D824

If that part would work, it is only $80 each.

[chilort]

Drat, even advance was out of their expensive ones.

[nfury8]

This is why I converted my 69 Fury to rear discs. It was cheaper to
convert to discs, than rebuild the drums. Way cheaper and easier
to maintain over the long run also. I used the TSM kit, which will
work on any 8 3/4" rear. http://www.tsmmfg.com

[chilort]

I did quite a bit of research about 6 years ago into rear disc kits for the 8 3/4 when I converted my still on-going Superbee project to discs. Back then, the TSM kit required you to go with green bearings from what I recall. I went with Baer on my Bee because they allow you to keep the stock tapered bearing.

Does the TSM kit still require green bearings? If so, no thanks, I'd rather pull out my own eye-teeth with vice-grips.

[nfury8]

Not to my knowledge. I am using the stock bearing setup on mine.
This is the first I have heard of the Green bearings with TSM.
The way the current bracket mounts, I would imagine you could
use what ever bearing setup you wanted.

[chilort]

A rear disc setup is much more than I want to pay. At least until I go for the full-on-resto-mod-keep-this-truck-forever treatment. I, luckily found a pair of the Wagoner drums new for about $75 each. Whew!

[Oneadm1210]

Les Schwab Tire Center wants $143 for 12" x 2 1/2" and $185 for 12" x 3". But when I called Kragen's Auto Parts they want $53 for drums.