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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Dirty brake drums

Here is a pic of the brake drum which I mentioned in my thread about drain plugs. It has had oil leaking onto it from the half shaft, I have attempted to clean it with brake cleaner and although it is perfectly smooth it is very marked.
How should I clean this or will application of brakes do the job for me?

Roger D

Hi Roger,

If there is no lip on the edge of the drum and the surface isn't pitted, I'd say they are ok to put them back on and like you say they should clean up under braking.

James Paul

That's what I thought, they are in good condition apart from the surface crap!
Roger D

A little steel wool would probably get most of that off. And braking would do it too.
Martin

Roger. Rust, also known as iron oxide, is a form of abrasive, just as aluminum oxide is. Thus, it is desirable to remove as much of the surface rust as possible before reassembling the drumbs to the axles. Some coarse steel wool, as Martin suggests, or some medium sand paper/emery cloth applied lightly should help to reduce the surface rust significantly. You do not need to remove all of the rust, just most of the surface rust. The light "staining" that remains on the metal after removing the majority of the rust is not as much of a problem as the surface rust that stands proud of the surface. Clean with brake cleaner after removing the majority of the rust. Hot, soapy water can be used if the drumbs are placed out in the hot sun to fully dry, or placed into a warm oven to completely dry.

Les
Les Bengtson

yep-I'd be getting stuck into them with some wet/dry sandpaper and soapy water some 240 grit will clean that up nicely in no time
William Revit

I would suggest they be abraded as indicated in previous responses which can be better carried out if a lathe can be used with if necessary a light skim being carried out where I keep a cut off half shaft for ready mounting however it is best to optimise any runout although most used drums will exhibit some level of out of roundness.
S G KEIL

This thread was discussed between 12/07/2023 and 13/07/2023

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