Brake flushing again

Limey Linda · 31 January 2008, 16:20

My brake drums have two 1/2"" holes in the outer face of the drum( the surface the wheel mounts to. I was thinking of drilling a, say 5/16" hole in the wheel that aligns with one of the holes in the drum. I could then attach a nozzle to my hose and squirt water in. Yes, I would have to " clock" the wheel when fitting. This would seem to save stripping the brakes to drill holes in the backplate and the need to have tubing, nozzles and connectors. Would have to flush one wheel at a time , but that is no big deal. Should be able to get suitable plugs for hole to prevent road dirt getiing in.
Can anyone see a problem with this.?

ian parkes · 31 January 2008, 19:22

sounds like a good idea to me , its going to be easy enough to point the hose in there when you are washing it down , plus the water jet is less likely to spray directly against the seals .
Iam not sure i would even bother blocking the holes unless you drive on very sandy or muddy roads .

Some barake drums used to be drilled across the actual braking surface , I believe it was a dealer mod on some VW beetles to stop brake grab and squeal .

Limey Linda · 31 January 2008, 19:55

The even better news is, having just measured up. There is already a ring of holes in the wheel and all I have to do is mark the right one.

yorfuoj · 02 February 2008, 09:10

A simpler and easier way to flush your brakes :

- remove the upper bolt of the wheel, then send the water into the drum.
- dont forget to put the bolt back again, and tighten

Richard Selman · 02 February 2008, 16:48

Thats what I used to do on the old rib. Then I just drilled out a small hole through one bolt and all I had to do was hold the hose onto the head.

Was going to turn up a bolt with a hoselock type fitting but got discs instead for the new boat.

Richard

Chris · 02 February 2008, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

Thats what I used to do on the old rib. Then I just drilled out a small hole through one bolt and all I had to do was hold the hose onto the head.

Was going to turn up a bolt with a hoselock type fitting but got discs instead for the new boat.

Richard

Where did you get disks from Richard? I did'nt think anyone had done them yet?

Richard Selman · 03 February 2008, 07:10

Got the trailer from Dixon-Bate in October. There is a possible issue regarding whether the brakes hold in reverse when off the hitch that was discussed in another thread - I will investigate when the boat is next out of the garage. Would not bother me if they did not - just need to carry some chocks but it would be nice to know.

As well as the discs, the cables are to a much higher spec (plastic coated inner - possibly stainless as well) than the usual drum rubbish.

Richard

Chris · 03 February 2008, 14:45

sounds interesting. As for holding in reverse I would never trust my drum brakes either even when I had the pads and cables replaced they still did not seem to hold in reverse that well and I did not really trust them holding forwards either.

Chris