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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1968 Chevrolet P/U front drum brakes

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Expert: - 5/23/2008


Question
I have a 1968 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pick up. I wanted to do the brakes, so I ordered front and rear drums and shoes. Much to my surprise, when I pulled the front wheel off, I discovered that the front drum seems to be riveted to the hub. The stock drums I purchased are the same size - do I just need to buy hubs as well? This seems odd to me.

Now, I don't know how to proceed, or if my truck had been modified by the previous owner. I wanted to just cut the rivets off, but...Any ideas?

Answer
Cut the rivets and install the new drums. make sure that they fit the hub snugly as this is what centers them. Some drums were riveted and others used a special tool that pressed the lug studs through the hub and drum and then swedged them in place. The rivet serve no purpose once the wheel is torqued in place as the drum is sandwiched between the wheel and the hub. The rivets and other methods mentioned keep the drum in place should the wheel come off.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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