question about brakes

[glitch]

Dealer has recommended to have the rear drums machined and to have the shoes replaced. Is it normal to have the drums machined on a relatively newish car? It's a 1998 Corolla with 97000kms.
Help appreciated.

[Rustynut]

At 97k, you're either easy on brakes or you drive a lot on the highway. After that kind of mileage it is not uncommon to have to machine the drums as over time and miles dirt and brake dust settle in and score the drums as the brake shoe wears down.

Any time you get nearly 100k out of a set of brakes you are doing good!

Machining provides a smooth surface for the new brake shoes to contact, and contact fully so you have the best possible braking power.

Now how about the front pads and Rotors? If they haven't been serviced it may be time there too!

Hopefully there are no deep gouges in your drums, if there are and they cannot be machined out it is time to replace the drums. ( there are limits in the spec's that only permit a certain amount to be machined off and once the drum is beyond that it is scrap )

[Dr.Dan]

Yep, if you're replacing the shoes, it's time to machine the drums.

An 8 year old Corolla with 97000kms... it's due. That's about average for them too. Much higher than the average for rear drum brakes in general. :)

[glitch]

Thanks amigos. Much appreciated.