Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

[Dan B.]

Those with 63-64 drum brakes wanting to keep things original have an issue when it comes to worn pads on the drum brake backing plates. It is my observation that when new there was a raised area on the pad surface which kept the shoe level on all sides and thus allowed for smooth even operation at the friction points. After 50 + years and Bubba's fine hand many are uneven and excessively worn. I have this situation on my front brakes and normally this would just be an easy fix to swap out the backing plates. Problem is they are not reproduced (to my knowledge). SO, this leads me to my question about repairing /restoring the old ones I have here. Does someone have a source for new ones?

Has anyone attempted this repair and can they provide some guidance? I can weld, so I was thinking of trying to rebuild the low areas and file to evenly align the shoe height. It's a lot more time and work than I would prefer to do. Many used ones I've seen look just as bad or worse than what I have. I know many that have simply converted to disks to get around this, but I also know a good set of drum brakes is more than adequate for street driving (my 59 with low wear parts stops very well), so I put this up for discussion and input.

Here's a video that shows the problem. It's not a Corvette, but you get the idea.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GwnM-kYlkQ

Thanks for your replies.
Dan

[Edward J.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

Dan, If you know a welder that can put a weld on the pads that would be about all I can think Of it would require some careful grinding after. I can see that worn pads it could cause a problem with shoes hanging up, smooth operation is key.

[Gary R.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

Dan I would look for another plate if possible. If not you see if the worn pads are in a circle and there is nothing else in the way of that circle. Then you might be able to either weld the top of the worn pads, cut out and weld in new fab'd pads, then find someone with a lathe large enough to chuck it on the center hole, dial it in, and face the pads to size. It can be done but would be more then finding a good used one to replace it.

[Dan B.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

Hi Gary, good to hear from you. The backing plates on the front were used on passenger cars as well and between that and the many disk conversions done there are plenty of used ones out there for sure. I highway drive my car as you know and am considering a front disk upgrade that uses the stock spindles I have with zero offset.

Ed, I could attempt to weld them myself, but the more I think about it, the less it seems worth doing. Was curious if anyone had tried it though. Maybe I answered my own question.

Must be a low demand part or someone would have made them by now.

[Gary R.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

Hi Dan
I agree you should be able to find them. For a driver and non judged car converting to disc brakes is a nice option. I would do all 4 wheels but that's your call.

[Dan B.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

I wanted to give an update on this issue for all interested. While my backing plates don't have a particular raised feature noticeable at the brake shoe friction points as new originals did, they are dressed smooth and flat and thus not binding the shoes. I checked the new shoes and they looked good. Very evenly worn front to back and side to side and no lateral excess wear either.
My opinion now after working with it is I don't really think the raised feature matters or effects function as much as I first thought.


What caused me to look at this in the first place was a pulling to one side upon hard braking after a complete brake job. Everything was done, and all new components (hoses too) except the wheel cylinders which were SS sleeved originals.

I reexamined everything and when probable was eliminated, I took a look at the improbable and found the issue. Turns out one of the NEW Raybestos front drums (left side) had a high spot on it and was manufactured out of round. So when the brakes were applied with conviction, that wheel (left) would grab first pulling the nose in that direction. The resolution was to get both drums cut. The brake lathe revealed the problem clearly. Now I can lock up the brakes and it stays even and straight as it should. VICTORY .

Apparently NEW warped drums are quite common now as these are all coming from China I'm told (due to spotty quality control and shipping damage). In addition, it was not so easy to find someone that still cuts drums in my area these days either. I was surprised to find that all my usual trusted sources had gotten rid of their old brake lathes due to economics. Most cars these days only have rear drums (if that), so many not so perfect ones go unnoticed when paired with front discs on our daily drivers.

[Frank D.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

I bought 4 AC/Delco "Professional" brake drums for my 63 18 months ago and have had zero problems with them...
The balance is validated and they are built to ISO standards. Perfect right out of the box. I shamelessly recommend them.

Don't cheap out on brakes.

[Dan B.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

In case you were unaware, AC Delco stopped making those sometime in the 80's. Enjoy your Delco boxes parts made in China. Your FRANK is showing again.

[Edward J.]

[Dan B.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

Ed,
Small numbers is exactly right. I was glad I could eventually find a shop that still had a brake lathe to cut the drums. My friends that do this for a living distill it down to sheer economics. Their shop time to cut a drum equals or exceeds the cost of a new drum. They are all warrantied for manufacturing defects, so they return the bad ones and hope to get a good replacement if there is an issue. For these older cars, often the parts have to be ordered and there can be expenses to ship the bad ones back. One reason I paid to have these fixed. Who will be able to fix them in the future though when the last of these shops are gone?

[Frank D.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

In case you were unaware, AC Delco stopped making those sometime in the 80's. Enjoy your Delco boxes parts made in China. Your FRANK is showing again.

All I can say is that I was out in my split window yesterday cruising for a few hours, stopping perfectly when needed and not worrying about who might still be alive and turning brake drums. A ton of stuff comes from China, the question is how rigorous is the manufacturing and quality control...evidently I got 4 out of 4 right out of the gate. Or maybe I just read the standards these parts adhere to and made a good decision.

[Dan B.]

Re: Repairing 63-64 drum brake backing plate pads

All I can say is that I was out in my split window yesterday cruising for a few hours, stopping perfectly when needed and not worrying about who might still be alive and turning brake drums. A ton of stuff comes from China, the question is how rigorous is the manufacturing and quality control...evidently I got 4 out of 4 right out of the gate. Or maybe I just read the standards these parts adhere to and made a good decision.

Was out driving my non split window also and it stops straight and on a dime now. Your reboxed drums which are the same as mine don't impress anyone. A brake drum in a thin box can be damaged in handling I've seen them unload trucks and throw the boxes.

You of all people should not put someone down for finding and fixing a problem without throwing a bunch of unnecessary parts at it.