TheSamba.com :: View topic - I just got some 356 aluminum drum brakes (rear)...

Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:53 pm

I just got some 356 aluminum drum brakes (rear)... wide 5 lug (complete). What are they worth?

*can anyone tell me 'bout em....?

Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:27 pm

well they are likely to be either A or B type, depending on the shape of the sides of the drums. Ideally there wouldnt be any corrosion between the metal liner and the alloy, and the "spindles" where they attach to the axles will be in good condition without any slack or significant damage. Last time I had some 356 drums I carefully wire brushed them to get them clean, and I would have gotten them polished but I sold them first. Value probably depends on condition, maybe $100 each?

Si

Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:03 pm

Post some pics and it depends on the amount of lining wear. Measure the diameter inner lining edge to edge. Jim

Mon Nov 03, 2008 7:24 am

Here's some pics....

Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:01 am

Those are B drums. Get the linings turned and measured then you will know their value. Jim

Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:53 am

yes, B drums, but it looks kind of like someone has played around with the fins around the outside? They look a different shape to the B drums I have had in the past. Its almost like someone tried to fit aftermarket wheels on to them which fouled the outer edges of the fins, so they had the fins re-shaped to get them on?

if I am talking out of my rear, please correct me!

Si.

Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:08 am

i thought the same but did not comment on that feature. On a side note, many times the B fins were ground off to look like A's for vintage racing a Coupes and also they B drum retained more heat. Jim

Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:52 pm

the guy that i got them from said the original owner machined down fins a bit to allow for (i believe) vw stock rims to be run on these drums...? you are probably right. I got them to run on my 62 bug...

does anyone know if they will bolt right on... or should I sell them on ebay to the highest bidder?.....

thanks for all your input.

Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:30 am

Looks like the backing plates are hacked as well...

Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:30 am

the backing plates do seem to be chopped, I thought there was something odd about them as well!

If I owned these, and I was happy that the shaving of the fins hadnt compromised their strength I would probably try to track down an intact pair of backing plates then bolt them on. If you were to sell them you might not get as much interest as if they were fully intact, but you would probably find the cylinders and shoes still have some value.

I would have thought that stock vw rims would be able to mount straight onto these brakes without them having to be machined, but any aftermarket replacements could foul them, obvously depending on the shape of them.

Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:43 am

Wide five VW rims do not need modification to mount on B drums.