Warped Rear Drum

[medicmandan]

I dropped my drums off to get them turned and it turns out one is so warped they can't turn it.

What would cause this? I've had this car for about two years. I've only put about 12K miles in that time frame. It has 91K now.

Should I replace both drums? Would that create noise from the rear when I drive over 40mph?

This is a 99SE.

[97TaurusGuy]

Anytime you do brake work in should be done the same on both sides. So yes, you should replace both drums.

[shorod]

Make sure the parking brake cables are not seized and keeping the parking brake engaged. If the parking brake is constantly applied, those drums will be getting quite hot, and one trip through a water puddle with hot drums could cause warping. Also, one would expect to notice a decrease in fuel economy if the parking brake is stuck engaged.

-Rod

[medicmandan]

Originally Posted by shorod

Make sure the parking brake cables are not seized and keeping the parking brake engaged. If the parking brake is constantly applied, those drums will be getting quite hot, and one trip through a water puddle with hot drums could cause warping. Also, one would expect to notice a decrease in fuel economy if the parking brake is stuck engaged.

-Rod

How do I know if the parking brake is seizing? After I put the new drums on and the wheels they spun fairly freely. The parking brake has some play in it now. I have to push it all the way to the floor to engage. If I put the car in gear it doesn't move until I release the parking brake. The drums were hot to the touch after my 10 minute test drive but I was using the brakes quite a bit to test them. Is that normal?

[shorod]

It will be normal for the drums to get hot if they've been used quite a bit, but under normal driving, you probably will just notice them being warm to the touch.

If you take a run down a long stretch of road that doesn't require much braking, release the throttle and coast to 25 mph or so, then stop the car, do the drums feel hot? Be sure to check both sides. If they are hot, then you either have a parking brake that is not releasing completely or a self adjuster that is adjusted out too far.

-Rod

[medicmandan]

Originally Posted by shorod

It will be normal for the drums to get hot if they've been used quite a bit, but under normal driving, you probably will just notice them being warm to the touch.

If you take a run down a long stretch of road that doesn't require much braking, release the throttle and coast to 25 mph or so, then stop the car, do the drums feel hot? Be sure to check both sides. If they are hot, then you either have a parking brake that is not releasing completely or a self adjuster that is adjusted out too far.

-Rod

I'll keep an eye on them this week and see. That car does all city driving so long stretches without braking don't happen very often.

I havne't seen any decrease in my mpg. I get about 18-20 in the city.

[Scrapper]

i agree on parking brake sticking and causing drums to warp..i live in indiana and don't use the parking brake at all because of the sand and salt they will lock up and mostly will not release all the way and it causes your rear brake shoe on each side to stick on the back shoe...good luck...