Zimmermann Brake Drums (rear) CHEAP!

dansivilli · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject:

Sorry if this is a dumb question - do these work on the rear only? I have a 72 super and bought them as I'll be installing new shoes anyway.

Tim Donahoe · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:49 pm Post subject:

Yep--rear only!

Tim

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:58 am Post subject:

Welp. Finished the brakes this past weekend,

After bleeding, and adjusting, and torquring down the nut to specs,

I'm getting a knocking sound in the rear, Which normaly means a out-of-round drum. (maybe machined off center from the spline)

BUT, Im not getting the pulsating pedal that you get with that type of drum/warped drum.

I'll pull it off sometime this week and measure.. Rolling Eyes

Maybe the e-brake is too tight?

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Tim Donahoe · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:48 pm Post subject:

Thomas, when I installed my rear Zimmerman's, I adjusted the hand brake according to Haynes (for 1973 on, lift handle 3 clicks, adjust until the wheels barely turn).

That information didn't work well, since my new drums were heating up each time I drove (handbrake not on, of course). So I loosened them up a little.

Even with the handbrake adjusted too tight, however, I got no "knocking" noise. I just happened to notice that the drums were too hot after driving a while--using the index-finger-touching-the-drum-ouch method.

It would be a drag if your reasonably-priced Zimmermans were causing this issue.

You might just have a CV that's acting up.

Tim

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:59 pm Post subject:

60ragtop · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 1:07 pm Post subject:

back off the e brake cables then adjust the brakes then the e brake cables.
Some times people adjust up the cables with out adjusting the rear brakes as they wear and get things out of sink. Also looks like you might have wear on the spreader bar Question

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Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
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Mudpump · Samba Member Joined: May 11, 2007 Posts: 750

Long shot but it doesn't look like you chamfered the ends of the pads. I always do that to reduce squeaking and it also helps if the ends are chipped and/or not flush where they are attached to the shoe

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 1:37 pm Post subject:

birddog1 · Samba Member Joined: March 11, 2006 Posts: 953

I always chamfer the ends,just the way I was taught.

I must say I've been running into some real garbage shoes lately. The last set was I think called Enduro. Pads were chipped and just looking at them made me winch. The pad bonding to the shoe looked like crap.

What brand do people consider good shoes these days?

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 4:55 pm Post subject:

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject:

Update on the issue, After un-hooking the parking brake cables inside the cab to make sure its not causing ANY pressure/tension on the parking brake assembly, I ran back and forth under my car adjusting each shoe until the drum dragged, then ran into the car, stomped on the brakes.

Then ran back, and re-adjust the shoes again and repeated this about 10 times per wheel.

This indicates the parking brake was the cause of brake shoes not being aligned correctly in the drums.

and MAN wow my pedal feels better than ever, and the braking was AMAZING.

However, now, under REALLY HARD braking, I still get that Dull Knocking noise.

I'm going to get a new torque wrench tomorrow, and use it on my Torque master tool (i think my old torque wrench may be damaged) giving me a false reading. So hopefully its really just a axle nut issue.
_________________
(Owner) www.vintagecarleds.com

Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle

ROCKOROD71 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:57 am Post subject:

BUGGED11111 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 5:06 pm Post subject:

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:19 pm Post subject:

turns out there were high spots in my brand new drums... Rolling Eyes

I cut them a bit, and the issue went away.

_________________
(Owner) www.vintagecarleds.com

Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle

talljordan · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:03 pm Post subject:

60ragtop · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:34 pm Post subject:

It is not uncommon to have to true up a new brake drum with the way they are packed, shipped, dropped Wink

_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

wcfvw69 · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 5:08 pm Post subject:

Wow, I guess I'll just stick to my original VW drums on my 69! Laughing

I was surprised recently to see it had the original drum on the RR along with the original wheel cylinder. I took the drum w/the non-oe drum to be turned and it was still in spec. Got lucky.

Thanks for posting this link Mr. Duncan.
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birddog1 · Samba Member Joined: March 11, 2006 Posts: 953

I wouldn't make any sweeping conclusions based on one experience.
Nothing wrong with Zimmerman drums. They're about best you will find. I've put many on many cars and had 1 drum that I turned and was a minor clean up. I've also used Brazil drums and they all need to be turned before use.


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Zimmermann Brake Drums (rear) CHEAP!
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