Where to purchase quality drum brake parts

[RayL]

I plan to overhaul the 10" rear drum brakes on my '73 Challenger and am looking for recommendations on where to buy good quality drum brake parts.

I've read a lot of posts that mentioned being less than satisfied - missing parts, wrong parts, poor quality, etc...

Who are your go-to suppliers for drums, wheel cylinders, shoes and hardware kits?

And I hope it's ok to plug another member's posts. This post by @Shane Kelley served as motivation for the overhaul:

https://forum.e-bodies.org/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-and-steering/12/rear-drum-brake-build/3489/

Thanks

[blown motor]

I've gotten drum brake parts from Napa with no issues.

[RayL]

@blown motor thanks for the reply. There is a local Napa where the counter people are helpful and also a distribution center not far in case the local shop doesn't have the parts in stock. I checked the Napa site for brake shoes and they list something like 5 different sets available, all within a dollar or two. The local people might be able to figure that out. The drums they show online have "CHINA" cast in big letters on them. I guess there is no way to avoid that these days.

Thanks,
Ray

[1970 cuda Joe]

I usually try to find a part number from Wagner, EIS or Raybestos & then go looking on e-bay for old stock that was at least north American made or USA made. I've scored quite a few parts doing that method....Joe

[blown motor]

@RayL I had my rear drum brakes all redone two years ago with Napa parts and have had no problems so far. Not sure if the drums had China stamped in them or not. I'm actually thinking of buying a full set of all the internals to have for the next time because by then who knows what we'll be able to get.

[RayL]

I usually try to find a part number from Wagner, EIS or Raybestos & then go looking on e-bay for old stock that was at least north American made or USA made. I've scored quite a few parts doing that method....Joe

Thanks Joe. I can find the Mopar part numbers in the parts books, but have little luck finding the cross-reference to parts manufacturers. What is your trick?

[RayL]

@RayL I had my rear drum brakes all redone two years ago with Napa parts and have had no problems so far. Not sure if the drums had China stamped in them or not. I'm actually thinking of buying a full set of all the internals to have for the next time because by then who knows what we'll be able to get.

That's a great idea!

[mopar jack]

I purchased some new original drums and shoes from Mobile parts, Craig Stanley. He has a ton of brake parts for mopars. Contact info: mobileparts@yahoo.com   516 485-1935

[1970 cuda Joe]

I usually try to find a part number from Wagner, EIS or Raybestos & then go looking on e-bay for old stock that was at least north American made or USA made. I've scored quite a few parts doing that method....Joe

Thanks Joe. I can find the Mopar part numbers in the parts books, but have little luck finding the cross-reference to parts manufacturers. What is your trick?

There's a couple of ways of finding nors parts. One way is by looking parts up on Rockauto. Different manufactures part number are listed. Another way is by looking for old used parts catalogs on e-bay. I usually try to find catalogs the next year of the vehicle I have. In my early life, I worked for NAPA. Worked there for 11 years & got familiar with the parts catalogs. After finding the part number you require, simply do an ebay search for the part number with nothing else in front or behind. If you get a ton of hits you can then enter the brand name. I don't use e-bay motors, just the regular e-bay. Covers more groups. Lots of people have no clue as to what they have. I needed temp sender, oil sender, points & condenser for my 70. Found all USA made items through Echlin on e-bay....cheap....Joe

[bentpshrods]

    I just rebuilt my rear drums last month. I went thru Dr. Diff and got his complete rebuild kit plus shoes. Saved trying to piece things together and it looked to  be of good quality stuff. And the shipping was fast. Only took 3 days to get here.

[RayL]

I purchased some new original drums and shoes from Mobile parts, Craig Stanley. He has a ton of brake parts for mopars. Contact info: mobileparts@yahoo.com   516 485-1935

Thanks for the info. I'll add it to my list of known good suppliers.

[RayL]

I just rebuilt my rear drums last month. I went thru Dr. Diff and got his complete rebuild kit plus shoes. Saved trying to piece things together and it looked to  be of good quality stuff. And the shipping was fast. Only took 3 days to get here.

That was my plan if gathering everything piece by piece got too complicated.

Thanks

[RayL]

@1970 cuda Joe - Looks like Rock Auto has done a good job on OEM / Interchange Numbers. Thanks for the tips!

[RayL]

Just to close this topic for now, here is what I ended up doing.

I looked up the OEM part numbers in the 1973 Dodge Passenger Car parts catalog.

Searched Rock Auto for the Raybestos interchange numbers (I've always had good luck with Raybestos).

Compared the total costs for these Raybestos parts on eBay and Napa to what I found on Rock Auto.

Rock Auto was the least expensive. I entered the order on Saturday (see image). Everything arrived Tuesday morning.

And yes, everything was made in China but looks to be of decent quality.

If these turn out to be junk, I'll probably go with Dr. Diff or Mobile Parts/Craig Stanley.

Thanks to all for the replies!