New Brake Drums

raykinsella · Post by **raykinsella** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:09 pm

Does anybody here know if type 4s have their own brake drums, or do they share the same ones with other VWs? I need some new ones and don't see them listed anywhere.

herr_sparky · Post by **herr_sparky** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:19 pm

depends on year/model... this what a VW Interchange Manual i have says:

early 411 (up to ch. # 4112002290) is VW # 411 501 615
after that (from ch. # 4112002290) its the same VW # as the '66-'73 T3: 311 501 615 F

similar crossovers for wheel cylinders, shoes, etc.

raykinsella · Post by **raykinsella** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:49 pm

thanks...hmmm, where would I find the chassis# of my 411?

herr_sparky · Post by **herr_sparky** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:47 pm

couple places: under the rear seat (you may need to peel back some carpet, too) right in the middle there should be a badge and also at the inside base of the windshield, on the drivers side.

raykinsella · Post by **raykinsella** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:05 pm

Okay, I saw that the number under the windshield matches the number on a sticker on the inside of the driver's door, which also shows the month and year the car was built. The number was well beyond the 411...range of earlier models. So it's the same drum for my 411 and then my 412s? I see the drums listed for the type 3s online, so they should work. They look about right - four holes for lugs and two for the screws that hold the drum to the hub.

herr_sparky · Post by **herr_sparky** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:41 pm

are your drums damaged/worn out? it'd be worth it to find real German replacements, Brazilian drums are known to be... inconsistent.

this post has a good overview of brake issues...

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:35 am

Well put. The brazilian drums are good...but there is a very important issue to find out with each one you buy. They are cast in one piece and then have the swept braking surface machiend into them. It has been pastexperience that some....as many as 2 in 5 that I have personally purchased...had the drum mounted in teh mill incorrectly when the braking surcace was machined...and it was then....eccentric to the shoes...meaning it acts like its warped.
They are good drums....but just flat out tell the person you buy them from that this has been a problem and you will be checking it and returning for a trade out...anything that shows eccentric braking surface. You don't even have to drive on them.
These cast drums are heavier.
The stock German part was a two piece drum. The material for the braking surface is different from that of teh flange plate. They are superb in accuracy. Also...almost impossibel to find. Ray