Hello everyone. Have a question about the rear brakes on my 1987 Yamaha YFM100 Champ. When I removed the rear brake drum I later noticed a ring installed in a groove on the outside of the drum. Does anyone have any idea what this is for? It doesn't seem to have any function that I can tell. See attached pdf.

Thanks!

 

Anti-squeal band. Lots of drum brakes have them. I used to assemble bus axles, and Daimler buses had a giant strap, like a hose clip, with asbestos webbing inside it, clamped to the outside of the drum.

 

Hm...interesting. Guess I'll keep it. So I guess it just keeps the drum from vibrating or something so it dampens the squeal? Thanks for the info!