Saw an article on CHP for a rear drum brake upgrade and was wondering if anyone ever used this setup? MASTER BRAKES sells an 11 INCH completely assembled drum brake package that they say is a world of difference over the 9 inch stock setup. Since my rear drums are suspect in another problem I am having and the price is right over discs at 395 complete. I am thinking of doing this swap. Any one ever use it? Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks
Mark
TOOFUN

That set-up is stock on some h-d big cars like S/W's, Sedan Deliveries, Taxi's and Cop Cars and such.

I figure it is a dandy if you don't want to go rear disc brakes.

In fact, I would run all 11" drum brakes, BUT I can't find out what was done to the '65, Z-16 Chevelle's spindles to allow the fronts to mount 11" drums???

And it is the only A/F/X car that ever mounted four-wheel 11" drum brakes!!

pdq67

The biggest problem is that drum brakes are self-energizing and non-linear in response, so they tend to lock up when near the limit. If you are going to spend much money on the drums, discs offer better control for a little more money.

That set-up is stock on some h-d big cars like S/W's, Sedan Deliveries, Taxi's and Cop Cars and such.

While these type of kits, both disk and drum, make things easy, for the most parts these are all standard items that could be purchased from any auto parts store, for 1/3 the cost. All you need to know is what to ask them for, ie, model make and year. You're paying big for the convenience of having someone else put all the parts in a single box.

I went with a 11" drum setup, only from a 9" Ford rear end, so the shoes are 11"x2.25" vs. 11"x2.0" for the Chev. The 11" is much better over the stock 9", I have complete confidence in my brakes even though they are a manual setup. I like them alot and would recommend them to others who don't want to go to disc (which I did consider, but this was much cheaper for me).

David is right though, for HD applications, disc would be better.

11" drums are pretty easy to find in the junk yard and all you really need are the backing plates... everything else can be had for way under $400!!

Look for 76 or 77 Monte Carlos or other A-bodies to make a start, you can then cross-reference those to other makes. If you get the backing plates, then you can buy the cylinders, shoes and drums for the Monte at any auto parts store. I did that upgrade to my other Nova and liked it a lot. I got the backing plates and wheel cylinders out of the junk yard, then bought the wheel cylinder rebuild kits, drums, shoes, and whatever else and all told still came in under $150.

One thing I will warn you about... your stock disk/drum distribution is calibrated for your car and 9" rear drums... you may find that your new 11" drums will now lock up first!! I'd suggest getting rid of the stock valve in favor of an adjustable one in the rear line.

Good Luck,
Bill C.

Funny thing is I will be running the hydroboost unit with it so the vacuum power brake booster will be a thing of the past. I am hoping with this hydraulic hydroboost setup things will come to a halt in a hurry. May need that proportioning valve after all.

Mark