K 2500 Truck 4WD V8-454 7.4L VIN J SFI (1997)
Brake Drum: Service and Repair
Cracked, Scored, or Grooved
A cracked drum is unsafe for further service and must be replaced. Do not attempt to weld a cracked drum.
Smooth up any slight scores. Heavy or extensive scoring will cause excessive lining wear, and it may be necessary to resurface the drum braking surface.
If the linings are slightly worn (but still reusable) and the drum is grooved, polish the drum with fine emery cloth but do not refinish. Eliminating all
grooves in the drum and smoothing the ridges on the lining would require removing too much metal and lining. If left alone, the grooves and ridges
match and satisfactory service can be obtained.
If replacing the brake linings, always refinish a grooved drum. Using a grooved drum with new linings will wear the linings and make proper brake
performance difficult to obtain.
