Replace brake drums?

Was going to take the wheels off and paint the rear brake drums. But would need the wheels off for a couple days for first the primer then paint to dry.
But is it worth it just to replace the brake drums? Do they ever need to be replaced. If so is there a good aftermarket.

Truck is 17 years old and been very dependable and dont mind putting a little money into it occasionally.

And plan on keeping the truck 10 more years whatever it takes.

Any thoughts

Thanks

 

Sounds like it would be much easier to just get new drums and shoes now while you have it apart. That way you could have the new drums painted and ready to go with minimal downtime of your truck. Although it couldn’t hurt to take them off now and inspect to see if you were going to need a new brake cylinder or if your axles are leaking or anything.

 

Bah...

Just paint them on the truck. Grab some news paper and wrap/mask everything you don't want paint on - use tape for the rest (wheel studs...etc). Rattle can it all black, leave it for few hours and then bolt the wheels back on. You can always roll up paper and stuff into cracks if you care (drum:backing plate). Done deal.

 

I wire brushed, washed with dish soap, dried them, and primed/finish coated my rear drums in a half days time. It was a nice weather day.

I used ceramic high temp primer and Rustoleum Gloss as a finish.

Wire brush the mating surfaces really well.

Put some anti-seize on the wheel mating surface prior to bolting them back on the drum.

 

When the drum gets scored or worn, you can have them machined, if they have not reached the max diameter. So yes, they eventually will have to be replaced.

 

Ya know competent places (which includes believe it or not old school small gas stations that still repair vehicles) always put new brake drums on the machine. If their even the slightest out of round, they obviously get turned to being true because they are on the machine. It's not a slam install and forget about it job as auto parts places make it to be. So if you buy brake drums from a auto parts place that also does auto repair, tell them to ck/true the drums. Why, saves from premature brake pad wear, and at the worst guess what it would be. Brake shudder.

Again, even when new, have the drums turned. They are never true. It's minute, but the pros do it to eliminate any reason for premature brake wear and shudder.

 

Get new drums and shoe. Rebuild the pistons while you're at it to save you some aggravation later.

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and...drum-rear/duralast-brake-drum-3558/113322_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-shoes-rear
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and...r-rear/brakeware-wheel-cylinder-34013/23186_0
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and...alast-brake-drum-all-in-one-kit-h7253/78235_0