When you are replacing the rear brakes for the first time, should you resurface the brake drums? I have had several shops say conflicting things, what's your opinion?

 

I would say it would depend on how the drum itself looks and how badly worn the shoes were. If everything looks like it wore down evenly and clean i'd say you could probably get by without machining them, but obviously machining never hurts.

 

After working in a brake shop for a year I can tell you this. If the wear on the drum is equal, and does not like its cracking, then keep it. How many miles you have on your car by the way, and are you replacing just rear shoes, or the hardware also?

 

I took a look at one of the drums and it looks to have worn evenly with no evidence of any damage. I think I'll just clean them and skip the machining.
My '99 pro has 131,000km (82000 miles) and it looks to me like they are original brake shoes, but I'm not sure since I've only owned the car since 110,000 km.
I was planning on changing the return springs and hold down pins as well as the brake shoes.
Are the Mazda replacement shoes any good?

Thanks for your opinion.