1969cutlazz

I have a 1969 cutlass with front drums. One drum seems like the hub and drum are one unit. The other side I can pull the drum right off the hub with no problem. I've beat on the drum with the hub attached to it thinking maybe it was just rusted together. Not coming apart. I look up front drums in catalogs and part stores and I don't see drums with the hub combo. I only see it like that for disc brakes. So anyone know for sure if drums came like this back in the day? Or do I need to beat on it harder to break the hub free from the drum? Or do I need to buy a new hub and a new drum?

MDchanic

There were different types in different years, if I recall.

Someone else here will be able to tell you exactly what went with what.

- Eric

ent72olds

Front drums are 1 piece with the hub. The bearings ,inner and outer, ride on the spindle. I don't see how they could be two piece? You did pull the nut off, correct? I can't imagine that drum not coming off, does it spin? You can check wildaboutcarsonline.com for your year tech manual.

1969cutlazz

One drum is just a drum without the hub attached to it. Every part store or cutlass catalog I look in its just a drum with stud holes in it. I can't even find drums with the hub attached to it anywhere.

1969cutlazz

One side I can just pull off the drum. Hub stays on the spindle. The lug nuts hold it on like on the rear. The other side I have to remove the spindle nut and the drum and hub come off as one assembly.

ent72olds

Try and post a couple of pics!

ent72olds

Unless you have some kind of Frankenstien car, the hub and drum are one....unless yours broke around the hub, and then you need a new drum....

1969cutlazz

I can't post pics cause I'm on here with my phone. Don't have a computer. Can't figure out how to post pics to a thread with my phone. I figured it seperated. The thing that confuses me is I go to any auto parts store and the drum they bring to the counter for my car is just a drum. No hub attached.

1969cutlazz

I can email pics if u wanna see.

ent72olds

Sent you a PM

ent72olds

OK, I got it! What they are selling you is correct! The hub assy presses in from the back side of the drum...there may be some star shaped clips that push over the wheel studs once in place!

ent72olds

If you also want the hub and bearings, they will sell you that separately....just make sure the drum you buy is the same depth as your old one. There was a deep finned and shallow finned drum styles offered!

1969cutlazz

So I gotta beat this hub outta the drum. Theres no clips or anything I see on the studs. Im gonna heat it up and see if it comes apart.

ent72olds

Heat the front of the drum around the studs. Put a metal plate across the top of the studs to get a better surface area to hit with hammer, plus you don't want to damage the threads. Try not to cook the bearings or rear seal! Good luck!

1969cutlazz

Thanks for confirming I wasn't crazy.

MDchanic

As I said, there are two different types, depending on year and model.
You have one of each.

I'm not sure whether the drum / spindle assemblies interchange on the same spindles or not.

And nobody here said you weren't crazy .

- Eric

Run to Rund

A lot of Chevys and X bodies had slip on drums. I prefer that setup as it is easier to work on.

1969cutlazz

I prefer that set up too. Looks like its not easy to find front hubs or front hub and drum assemblies for my car. I can find front drums with no hub all day long. But I can't find front hub or front hub/drum assembled very easily at all.

jerseyjoe

I believe all 68 and some or all 69 cutlass had one piece hub/drum assembly. The drums were smooth on the outside(no cooling fins). Later (don't know exactly when-others may) the replacement was a 2 piece set up. The hub was installed independently on the spindle separate from the drum. The replacement drums had the cooling fins for better stopping performance and ease of replacing brakes or drums...so they say. Guessing probably was less expensive I switched to the 2 piece design. I had one new original gm hub and drum. I was able to purchase a new drum for the other side but could not find the hub. I ended up buying a used hub online from D & R classic automotive (see link below). The original gm part number for the drum was 3996670 and the hub was 3887867. Wagner drum part number is BD60198 as a cross reference. I bought the shoes from muscle car brakes. So far I am happy with the setup. The brakes were very touchy until they broke in though....

Hope the info helps, Joe

https://www.drclassic.com/catalog/Ca...ke/KS0053.html

1969cutlazz

Thanks Joe. Wow looks like you can only by them used. I can't find any new. This is helpful. Thanks.

MDchanic

For reference purposes, here are photos that 1969 took of his drums:





We can see that he has one of each type.

- Eric

jerseyjoe

yep that's them Eric. good pics of each....