brake drums, 230sl

[enochbell]

My drums are about gone, so I thought I would go ahead and replace them when I do the shoes.  Checking the usual suppliers, I found...gulp...these dogs list at about $1,000.  PER DRUM!

Could this be true?  Are there any options?  I have watched Ebay and have not seen any there.  I think I could have one fabricated from aluminum billet for that price.  Say it ain't so.

Thanks for any advice,

Greg

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[merrill]

I wonder if the drums can be lined?
I had a talk with cheryl at K&K about the rear shoes. her comment was to have the shoes refurbed and never never swap shoes out.
something about the shoes being fitted to the rear drum?

[J. Huber]

Greg (sorry), I am afraid this is true (and 1000 a side is not the most I have seen). I recommend you check to be sure they are truly at their end -- that they can be "turned" no more.

Then, it is my understanding, that drums from sedans of this era will work equally well. Used ones are out there.

James
63 230SL

[Benz Dr.]

Naw. I have lots of them. 190SL's use the same drums on the front.
It is getting harder to find good ones though.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[enochbell]

Thanks, I have seen other posts about tolerances and will check carefully.  I would like to stay "original" and understand that other sedan and 190sl applications used iron.  Or are there other aluminum drums?

Thanks,
Greg

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[Benz Dr.]

Some sedans or probably most of them used cast iron all the way around the car.
On cars with self adjusting brake shoes they used aluminium on the front only. 190SL's are a prime example of this. I have alfin drums all the way around on my own 190SL, unfortunately I don't have time to work on that car eiher.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[mdsalemi]

If these things are so danged expensive, as they apparently are, how about considering the conversion to all around disks like the later 113's?  New calipers and new hoses and new disks sound somewhat less costly; you just need to find out what other parts you might need.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[enochbell]

The option of converting to discs had crossed my mind but...

These cars were set up, even in 1964, with properly balanced brakes. It seems that while the conversion would not be too difficult mechanically(although as I think Arthur mentioned in a much earlier post it may actually require a new axel assembly and, while you're at it, might as well just drop in a new rear end) but even so, doesn't that screw with the balance of the master, the required spring rates, an other things I can't even imagine?  Simplest issue: wouldn't the car want to swap ends under hard corner braking?  I think I'd rather have failed rear brakes than overexhuberent ones, no?  Did I mention that mine did not come with ABS :-) ?

Greg

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[Benz Dr.]

You change the whole axel over to disc brake if want to go that route. You also need to install a brake compensator. Not sure if you need to change the master cylinder - somethings tells me that you shouldn't need to.
 The early drum brake axel doesn't need a compensator because this is done by the size of the brake cylinders and that rear drums don't usually lock up. I think the 230SL cylinders are 3/4 '' while a 190SL with all drunm brakes is 15/16'' because the front drums aren't as effective as disc brakes as found on the early 110/111 sedans and 230SL.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[ja17]

Hello,
These drums are the same as on the early Mercedes Finback sedans, lot of ponton sedans, 190SLs etc. You should be able to find some used in your neighborhood. You may have to have them turned at your local auto parts store to clean used ones up. .

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Benz Dr.]

Just looked up the price from about 2 years ago and the're about.......... $2,000.00 each  YIKES!!!

 ( They really are on drugs......... )

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org