Hey, So I have a 57 Chevrolet 3100 series pickup... I am in the process of rebuilding the brake system...and kingpins, and getting her up and running. So here is the problem... I guess someone replaced an axle Both rear drums are the same, with a center hole of approx 3 1/2 inches that the drum slips over a small "hub" on the axle flange. These are 6 lug brakes. The passenger side has a small "hub" that is about 3 7/8 in diameter so the drum doesn't fit flush on the axle flange. Off course I figured this out after I had the drums cut. Problem is I can't seem to find a 6 lug 11x2 drum with a center hole large enough.. Anybody know a source for a drum that will fit this axle? and wth did the axle come out of?
never seen one like that.Maybe have a machine shop cut it to fit. I've had drums stick to the axle flange in the middle like that & I'v ground the hole out bigger but it looks like you have too far to go to do that
Well yes I have three options, find a drum that fits, enlarge hole in existing drum, or get the axle turned down, finding a drum sounds like the easiest?
I have searched both GMC and Chevrolet truck drums, on like autozone website and a few others, they all claim to have the smaller center hole... finding a shop to turn it is a pia... a drum or a used axle would be easier??
This is a common issue with NAPCO trucks of that vintage by the way. Basically the stock drums have too small of a center opening to fit flush. Since finding a good NAPCO drum is almost impossible, most owners take a new drum (readily available) of that year and enlarge the center hole. A common way to do it is take a "right-sized" drum and clamp it to the new one (back-to-back). This provides a guide for using a die grinder to enlarge the hole. Not much enlarging is required. Works great.
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