Chipped brake drum Would you use it?

[mazdamonky]

I purchased some brake drums from rockauto and one of them came in with a chip on the outer section. It does not appear to have occurred during shipping but there was a large cut/knock on the box where it appears the damage occurred. Sadly I did not notice the damage until after I had painted the Drum.

My major question is would you use this or would you request a replacement drum?

The chip is about 1.5 inches long by 1/4 inch deep. Pictures are below:

 

[oldhp]

No. That is where a crack could start as it heats up. It's your brakes. You don't mess with your brakes. Call RA back and tell them what happened. They should work with you on this.

 

[boulderdentist]

First instinct is you are probably OK. No expert here but the thin area will increase heat in that area. I think I would contact Rock Auto and request a replacement. Doubt they will want it back, so painting should not matter. Why request it to be returned when it cannot be repaired and resold? You have well documented problem with your photos. If they want it returned since they sent out a defective part would insist they pay the return shipping.

Scott

 

[JHZR2]

I’d try to get a replacement, but in a pinch I’d have no concern. I’d just run it until I could find a suitable replacement if RA gives you no joy. Drum brakes are generally pretty understressed, and that looks like an area that won’t get much force. The heat should transfer towards the wheel.

But that’s not to say that you shoukd keep it on there forever.

Rusty drums spall more than that amount just to be removed.

 

[Creekside]

I would use it and not worry about it unless it’s some kind of performance application. I am of the understanding that the lip and groove there are to fit over the backing plate to help prevent foreign objects from entering the brake assembly. While that material will help absorb heat I bet the difference will be negligible.

 

[Lubener]

I have old drums that have that because of rust but I wouldn't be satisfied with that on a new drum. It looks like it was dropped and I would be in touch with Rock Auto.

 

[Oro_O]

Well, RA is going to deny it because quite clearly the chip happened after painting.

Look at the pics, it's plain as day.

 

[Eddie]

Agree that the drum was damaged after painting

 

[ka9mnx]

No, return it.

 

[Lubener]

Well, RA is going to deny it because quite clearly the chip happened after painting.

Look at the pics, it's plain as day.

Just because it happened after painting doesn't mean much, still could have occured at the factory. I would still call RA for an exchange. That's the problem with online parts ordering. You don't know what a part is going to look like when it arrives.

 

[SatinSilver]

I’m assuming the OP painted it and maybe was dropped during that process?

 

[doitmyself]

I really hate to make false accusations, but how could anyone miss that damage while painting it, which the OP claims? It's huge. Forgive me if I am wrong.

I would not put that on my vehicle.

 

[AJB0009]

My vote is no. I had a 1998 Ford Windstar. I put brand new drums on the rear from CarQuest (with no visible flaws) and had a terrible vibration at highway speeds. I never dreamed that it was from the drums, so I checked a ton of other stuff. I finally bought new OEM drums and the vibration was gone. I told my story to the CarQuest store manager and they gave me a full refund even though I put a quite a few miles on the drums.

 

[JC1]

I would be concerned that water and dirt could enter that rear drum. Get a replacement.

 

[JHZR2]

Well, RA is going to deny it because quite clearly the chip happened after painting.

Look at the pics, it's plain as day.

I don’t know for certain. I had a similar break that “held on” for a long while after the damage, and only was removed when I messed with it.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/cummins-5-9-harmonic-damper-pulley-damage.330997/

So it well could have been damaged in the box, and not fallen off until OP messed with it.

 

[ollie]

I would just install it and forget about it. It's on the outer lip. Cosmetic only.

 

[kschachn]

I can’t imagine any circumstance where I would install that on any of my vehicles, but maybe that’s just me. If it truly was a defect in the box then go back to RA for a replacement. Otherwise bite the bullet and buy a new one.

 

[skyactiv]

Brake drums are balanced at the factory and that drum being chipped is no longer in balance. Not by much I imagine but they are balanced for a reason.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Don't use it

Get coated drums, if they make them for your car

 

[mazdamonky]

I’m assuming the OP painted it and maybe was dropped during that process?

I really hate to make false accusations, but how could anyone miss that damage while painting it, which the OP claims? It's huge. Forgive me if I am wrong.

I would not put that on my vehicle.

To the guys who believe I did the damage, I wish I did because I would have already installed the rotor and just purchased a new replacement. Sadly, I did not take the time to inspect the rotor and literally pulled it straight from the box for paint hoping to have it installed yesterday evening. If you look closely at the pictures, you can see overspray behind that section only.

I originally thought it must be shipping damage, but the bag had no hole in it except the one I cut and there is no chip anywhere in the box. The chip would have had to escape the box somehow, or the chip fell off after I removed it from the bag. Sadly, I will probably never find out.

Don't use it

Get coated drums, if they make them for your car

Sadly, they do not make coated drums for this car.