Did some searching and didn't find exactly what I was hoping for, so I'll ask:

What is the general life span of rear drums on the HHR's?

I've noticed during some highway speed braking that there is a bit of a drone noise coming from the rear. There is a stretch of highway on the commute home that bottlenecks (thank you ODOT!) and sometimes forces 70+mph to 35mph slow downs...this is where I usually notice it. According to the origional owner, he replaced the front rotors/pads only at 74k and I'm now over 100k. Should I be thinking about shoes and/or drums at my next brake change? I get no noise, pulsing, squeaking, etc with regular braking...just during rapid highway speed slow downs.

As always, any input is greatly appreciated.

 

You could have the drums checked for true and thickness and if within spec they should be fine..... If there were any checking or scoring they would need replaced of course, but drums are pretty long lasting components. You'll probably need shoes.

 

I usually do all that kind of work myself, so I'll have a look. I can't recall ever working on drums tho...showing my age much? Everything I've ever had has been 4 disc, even my 1990 Lumina!

 

My age shows the other way.... Drums are what I've had on most of my cars......

 

With drums check for scoring and hot spots. Also look for cracks.

Usually a each cut will clean them up.

Rear shoes will get sometimes glazed and you can sand them or just replace them.

My last Somoma had over 100,000 on the rear shoes with no issue.

 

an each cut? Sorry, I don't follow.

 

Easy cut as in a light cut to true it up and give you a new surface.

Sorry Big fingers small phone keyboard.

 

I used to check rears at the 2nd front pad replacement as a rule of thumb....but with the "newer" cars this needs some rethinking.......I remember my heavy truck ran 110k and still had 50% and I towed alot but they also had anti lock rears( always thought they were weak so changed out rear slave cyl to one size larger, that helped) at your milage I'd have em checked.....they arn't that large but stil have to deal with a heavy car...

 

When you rotate tires, is a good time to pop off the rear drums & inspect.

If they have never been off there will be a tin-type lock ring around a wheel stud, these can be removed with needle-nose pliers or side cutters & thrown away.. Drums should then come off.. If not give them a slight thump with a mallet or similiar to loosen them from the rusting on..

Front brake pads: should always check the inside pads, as they seem to sometimes wear faster than the outers..

 

Thanks for the input gents. I'll give them a look-see to see what I can come up with and will keep y'all posted. I was thinking that "each/easy cut" was something along the lines of having them turned.

Thanks