OK PPL
Whats the min thickness for a brake drum on a 66 Beetle, I mean how thin can it get before it is no good?
Rob...

From non-VW experience, I knew the drums were worn out when the shoes wore out in a very uneven pattern. This really only applies to rear drums as it's not as pronounced with the 2 leading shoe arrangement on the front. If the drum is worn , the shoes have a fair way to reach. Yes you can adjust them but this means you don't get a good footprint-the shoe touches over a much smaller arc. This means all the braking is done on a smaller amt of shoe & this means they wear out faster. This is why I rarely get drums machined & if I do I specify the absol min just to clean them up.

If you have a look at the drums you will note theres a champer cut on the outside of the brake surface area.

If you carnt see this champer then the drum is worn out time for a new one.

Yeah thanks
That sounds about right, I do have a quoted measure in a manual but it is in inch's and I would not have a clue, if it was in mill's I would know!
Rob...

So multiply it (min thickness in inches) by 25.4 and you'll have min thickness in mm.....

Cool thanks for the help!
Still plenty of life in these babys! off to the machinist!
Rob...