Brake drum anti squeak springs

[Jim Wayman]

Does anyone know anything about springs that could be mounted radially in the groove of early brake drums? My '55 had them installed, but I haven't seen them referenced anywhere.

Jim Wayman

[Brad Ripley]

It's a domestic thing. American cars had such springs -- see below for a photo. Old Car Guys think the spring is there to dampen harmonic resonance (vibration). Large iron drums are like a bell. You may remember when one of those drums was on a drum lath, a canvas or leather strap was put around the drum so a loud ringing noise was suppressed. I doubt that such a spring would have any effect on a Porsche aluminum drum. But I do remember receiving a drum for reline the had a groove cut on the OD and such a spring around it; the drum was no good otherwise and I threw it out.

[Jim Wayman]

Thanks Brad. Fortunately, no harm was done to the drums.