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buying a prius with brake drum issue? need help asap

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by nonamebrand, Jul 29, 2009.

  1. nonamebrand

    nonamebrand Junior Member

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    Hey Guys

    I will be purchasing a used 2005 prius with about 85k km's.
    the test drive went well, the only issue was the brake drum cover (i think thats what it is) is orange/rusted. The owner mentioned its just a cover for the brakes and does not interfer with performance. he said i can just paint them black.


    Is this a major issue? how much would it cost to replace that drum cover thing? is there a way to clean it??

    advice would be appreciated as im buying the car in 2 days and this could be a deal breaker if its too $$$$.
     
    #1 nonamebrand, Jul 29, 2009
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    If you are talking about the outside of the brake drum, then you don't have to do anything to them. The inside does the work.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Jul 29, 2009
  3. nonamebrand

    nonamebrand Junior Member

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    Yes i its outside. it looks like its covering the brake pad/brake rotor.
    Its right behind the wheel.

    how do you clean it?? imagine a black prius with orange rusted brake drum covers. thats how much its bugging me.
     
    #3 nonamebrand, Jul 29, 2009
  4. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

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    Remove wheel, pull off drum. Use a wire brush or a drill with a wire brush in the chuck and clean it up.
    Wipe down good to remove lose stuff and paint with a good hi temp paint in the color of your choice from autozone or any auto store.
     
    #4 LRKingII, Jul 29, 2009
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Clean it off with a Scotch Brite pad and paint it.

    Have you had someone with mechanical experience look at this Prius?

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Jul 29, 2009
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    This is the rear, not front, correct? Otherwise, we are suffering a communications failure and talking past each other.

    The rear brake is a drum with shoes inside. What you see is the drum itself, not a cover. The braking friction surface is hidden inside.

    Rotor and pads would be the front discs. The braking friction surface is exposed, visible through the wheel spokes.
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Jul 30, 2009
  7. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Further, if you want to paint them, after thorough cleaning, you can use just about any paint. The drums don't get hot enough to damage "normal" paint. Unless you're racing. ;)
    I recommend a coat of rust inhibiting primer followed by a nice gloss black. But you could use fluorescent orange or something. :rolleyes:
     
    #7 David Beale, Jul 30, 2009
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