1957 Fairlane front drum brakes

[chapingo17]

Want to know what is the max inter diameter I can have on a stock front drum brakes.

[hiball3985]

I think you can only go .060 legally ( 11.060 ). I've gone a little bigger without any problems..

[gasman826]

max discard equals 11.120"...stamped on the drum

[hiball3985]

max discard equals 11.120"...stamped on the drum

Thats interesting, even the shop manual says .060

[chapingo17]

I did a rough measure with the measuring tape and get 11" I also have an issue car pulls to the passenger side bad when I brake. I balance, rotate new tires, align. I keep adjusting the drivers side brakes to adjust for the pull. Full suspension rebuild Does anyone know what would be diameter on a new front drum?

[gasman826]

max discard diameter stamped in the drum takes precedence.  pretty tough to measure without a drum mic.  Pulling not likely caused by drum size.  Sometimes the drums wear on a taper so under light braking might have initial pull and less with hard braking.  If not pulling during normal driving...not likely front end parts or adjustment.  If brake drums, shoes and hardware in good condition and correctly installed, I would look into hoses and wheel cylinders.

[hiball3985]

Air in one cylinder or a partially frozen cylinder can cause a pull also.. Have you bled the brakes?

[RICH MUISE]

And the hard lines........especially if original. When I was driving mine as an original worn out beater, it would pull so hard to the left under braking, I got so use to it I could navagate left curves in the mountain roads with the brake pedal, lol. When I was tearing mine down for restoration, I found the rear brake line on the passenger side rear axle housing was squished closed.

[chapingo17]

I have replaced the main brake lines, rear brake lines both tires, front brake line master split line, front rubber brake lines to tires. I bleed front driver side brake fluid came out. All brake parts were replaced.

[junior58]

When you say "full suspension rebuild" did that include upper wishbone inner bushes. Has a 58 Edsel Bermuda wagon that had a vicious pull under braking, found inner bushes were knackered allowing the arm to move under braking.

[CobraJoe]

Most drums allow for a maximum wear of .090 from the diameter stamped on the drum. You should never cut a drum or rotor past 0.60 though, as you need .030 for wear after installation. In other words, once you reach .060 before turning, it should be discarded as there is not enough material left to safely use.

[chapingo17]

I have a quick update on my brake issue. I found out when I replaced my brake shoes I bought a set up brake shoe hardware from an newer ford vehicle. Found out I placed a new really tight spring on one side of the front brake shoe assembly. I install an old oem spring problem solved.