Rear Drums Steel vs. AL

[Capt Mark]

Could some one tell me the pros and cons of AL vs steel drums in the rear,

The prices are steel $62ea AL $125 ea, I know Al is lighter but do they stop better? and do they hold up better......$125 bucks better?

Thanks Mark

[Ed]

The aluminium drums have a steel liner. Which one stops better? Who know's? 80% of your cars stopping power come from the front's.

[e_racer1999]

^^exactly. not really much difference... btw, VB has them for around $99 (AL). anyway, i'm stickin w/ my good ol' aluminum ones

[TomoHawk]

the JTR book has some good reasons for switching to steel (cast iron, actually) because they hold up better to heat. Aluminum drums would get soft and deform when they get hot, and you'll get brake fade.

i'll go look it up & quote it if you want.

[Miles]

Didn't JTR also indicate that they tried the iron drums and had problems locking up the rear wheels and that a proportioning valve is required?

".... we must caution you that the installing cast iron drums will affect brake balance, and rear wheel locking will cause an unstable vehicle condition. A brake balance valve must be installed in the car to properly adjust the brake balance."

Miles

[Walter Moore]

Aluminum also conducts heat better than iron, so at least in theory shouldn't get as hot... or at least would cool faster. But in real world conditions, who knows?

[Gav240z]

I've also noticed the stock 240z ones are finned to help disapate heat better.

I'd personally go with stock 240z style ones.

[Bambikiller240]

You can routinely find new Aluminum (Steel lined) Drums on eBay for around $70 each (gotta new pair stashed in my Parts Bin).

I would not use 'All Steel" drums on my car. The Finned Aluminum disipates heat quicker than the all steel drums. Unless you are running a "Mega Horsepower" motor, I'd stick with what Datsun / Nissan decided was appropriate for the car.

While it's very true that 80% of your stopping power comes from the Front brakes, the rears are the "weaker link" (Drums vs Disc) and are usually the first end to overheat when the car is being really hustled through it's paces, which is why I want mine to disipate heat as quickly as possible.

[texasz]

A couple of you mention to use the stock drums...but what were those, aluminum or steel/cast iron?

[Bambikiller240]

Aluminum w/ Steel ( or Cast Iron) liners