Taking the plunge. My journey as an O/O.

How in the world can shoes make a hub out of round?! They don't touch the hub.

 

Hubs don't go bad unless there's a reason. And they have no effect on brakes unless the inner seal leaks.

 

An old rule of thumb is change the drums every other brake job. But now, some shoe manufacturers are making shoes out of a much harder material that just eats up cast drums. Need to check it with a micrometer and see how much of the drum is still there. I wouldn't worry about them being out of round, they would tell ya that if they were. The truck would jump up and down when you hit the brakes

 

It certainly wont hurt to put new ones on. And considering you dont do your own work it's probably best.
I would definately recommend that you spend the extra and get steel, balanced drums and not the cheap cast iron drums.

 

Oh just look at the drums for a big ridge, and feel them across with your fingers.Smooth? Minor spider cracks are normal, Reuse, deep ridges, replace. Buy the cheapest ones you can find, if needed. Get the good brake shoes, coated for corrosion

 

These repairs will never end. I can relate 100%. Get used to it and get a better paying gig or buy a new truck and probably still get a better paying gig.