Brake Drums Stuck!

[brianzero]

Ive tried everything to get these guys off and no success...There are even threads the should accept a screw to push the drums off of the shoes. Those dont even work.

Is there a slack adjuster (or star gear) on the rear brakes that will allow me to pull the brakes pads in enough to pull the drums?

[noface]

yes....

you have to figure out a way to turn those dudes backwards to release the pressure.

Two screwdrivers and some penetrating oil are usually all that's required.

[brianzero]

Is there an access port, like a rubber plug that allows screwdriver access?

[flinterman2000]

Turning the adjuster backwards usually damages the ratchet that keeps the adjustment. The only other way is to pry off the drums. This however damages the spring and clips that hold in the brake shoes but at least these cost a lot less than the adjuster. Two large screwdrivers or two pry bars are whats necessary.

[brianzero]

I tried the double pry bar method, hammers, etc, but it only beat the hell out of the brake shoe cover plate. Nothings working.

[seang]

You can also tap the front, outer radius of the drums with a 3lb sledge. Be careful not to shatter the cast iron, but give it some good raps. By tapping on the front of the rotor, it pushes it off the center-rung where it is probably stuck--that is, if the shoes aren't locked to it. If you do try this, don't expect it to break loose with one big whack, you will have to work with it a bit. Use penetrating oil on the center rung and clean any oil off the friction surface with brake cleaner before re-assembling everything.

[brianzero]

The e-brake and the regular breaks are free of the drum. Ive been pounding on the thing forever...its been soaked in oil, so I dont know what to do now.

[captainzeros]

On my Z I had to go with repeated violence. I couldn't get either of drums off so I'd hose it as much as possible with penetrating lube, bang on the flat face with a 5 pound sledge mallet, bang around the edges, get a piece of wood behind it and bang on the wood on the edge of the drum (as to damage the drum itself as little as possible), swear a lot, go inside, and try again the next day.

After about 3-4 days they popped off like a charm. I think the loud cursing was the trick. That, and I finally set into a "Come off, or be destroyed and I'm buying new ones" mentality.

Pic related, victory and one extremely... extremely... beat up board used for cushioning my blows.

[MetalFab]

Been there.. pen oil on the middle lip works nice. I preferred not to wait a few days to get mine off, and used a couple huge screwdrivers until I could get prybars in there. In my case parts and pieces had ground around in one of the drums and the adjuster had gone missing, I found it later, in pieces. I litterally had to peel the brake pads out and off the drum. They were warped beyond recognition afterward I ended up replacing everything.. pads, springs, adjusters, drums, slave cylinders, and even the brake lines on that job. Everything was hammered >.<

I just made sure the car was firmly in place (had the huge truck jackstands) stuck my foot up on the frame and went at it side to side with two prybars for over an hour. It gave!

Still flinch anytime I hear someone drive down the road with brakes metal to metal.

[brianzero]

Metalfab, you must have dealt with the same forces that Im against. (Nice flatbed by the way)

When I pry against the drum with 'full body force', the drum is literally flexing! I may have to cut the bastard off with an 4" grinder. That would be a whole hell of a lot less laborious.

[pnp720]

I had to use a torch to heat around the center ring after a few times and some persuasion from a 3 pound hammer they loosened up and came off.

[brianzero]

Thats actually what Im going to do, torch it. Ive got to get the drums off intact. The torch has always been reliable for such things.

[MrBill]

There are 2 5/16 x 24 tapped holes in the drum, thread a bolt in each hole and alternate tighting the 2 bolts and the drum will come right off.

[Twinpilot001]

remove the brale fluid line!! make sure you have the start wheel turned in the proper direction ??? If the shoes are retracted fully- drums will slide off!!!!!!!!

[Midnighttouring]

Just did mine yesterday. Passenger side drum was stuck on. Used rust off around center seam and into screw holes. Mine are stripped out too. Let it sit. Then heated it up with a torch smacked it with a 3 1/2 lbs sledge while rotating. Star pattern so long as its even that will help wiggle it off. Then i sprayed it down again let it sit. Repeat repeat till it came off. Heat and cool it is the best way to break the friction barrier. Good luck!