Drum Brakes

[c03camson]

going to paint my stupid rear drum brakes and I cant get the damn things off. There is no retainer clip keeping them on so do i need to just beat them off or is there an easier way? I took the rubber plugs off the back and not really sure what im looking at in there.

[Daryl LBZ]

I think I always just hit them with a hammer on the front of the drum in about 3 spots. After that they would be loose enough to pull off.

[desrtrat]

I took the rubber plugs off the back and not really sure what im looking at in there.

if you look in the hole, you should see a star wheel, and a latch on the wheel. if i remember right, take a small screw driver, or a pick and move the latch away from the star wheel, and with a med. size screw driver, turn the star wheel up 2-3 full turns. that will contract your break shoes enough to pull the drums off..

when your done remember to re adjust your breaks again, so you don't crap your paints the first time you apply your breaks..

 

hope this helps....

[Matt_]

On a relatively new vehicle you shouldn't have to un-adjust the shoes to get the drum off. Give the hub surface a few good whacks with 2lb hammer in 3 equally spaced spots; this will break any bonds loose. At that point, you should be able to pull it off.... sometimes i find that its easier to pull off if you rotate it at the same time, so make sure you have the other side in the air and the wheel off.

[Silverado4x4]

They always freeze up at the axle hub, spray some wd-40 at that area and let it sit for awhile then the hammer method. You do have the parking brake off right? I have to ask because I have seem people wear them selfs out and figure out the parking brake is still on.

[sc4808]

They always freeze up at the axle hub, spray some wd-40 at that area and let it sit for awhile then the hammer method. You do have the parking brake off right? I have to ask because I have seem people wear them selfs out and figure out the parking brake is still on.

 

+1, I have seen the same thing.

[snyderfarms]

Heating them with a torch is the best method.....

[c03camson]

yeah parking brake was off. I was just trying to get them off so i could paint them. couldnt get them off so i just taped everything off, primed and painted them with the drums still on. worked like a charm. pissed me off though.

[nqabigt]

They always freeze up at the axle hub, spray some wd-40 at that area and let it sit for awhile then the hammer method. You do have the parking brake off right? I have to ask because I have seem people wear them selfs out and figure out the parking brake is still on.

 

 

+2 right side took a couple of taps, left side had to soak for a few minutes

[FarmerDave]

Use a heavy rubber mallet, hit the drum on the farthest inboard edge of the drum in two spots across from each other. I clean my drums every tire rotation so mine always come off easy. But this is how I get the drums off transport trucks.

 

Edit: There are no retaining clips or any device holding the drum on other than the wheel + lug nuts.

Edited April 11, 2010 by DaveV

[brims]

Take two 3/8" bolts and put them in the threaded holes and use them to back the drum off.

[danthesurferman]

I second the two bolt method, although I have also had to use the small screwdriver to push against the locking tab and back off the star-wheel adjuster with a brake adjustment tool because the shoes were so far gone the metal was grooved into the drums. (not my truck). I recently made a YouTube video showing how to do it.

 

 

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[Janster]

You can put some 'anti-seize' on the flat surface of the axle - where the drum comes in contact with it. I also put anti-seize on the lug nuts.

[DaveRave]

Size of the holes on my rear brake drums (2006 Silverado LS1500 V6 Std cab long bed 2WD 5spd) is 10 mm 1.5 thread and 25mm in length. You can probably get away with shorter ones like 20 mm. Took me two trips to HomeDepot to find this out since I misplaced ones I used previously. Mine will be free once again.

[DaveRave]

Final caveat - this should pop (audible sound) the rust bond between the hub and drum. You can certainly help it along by applying penetrating oil or pounding on the drums between the studs. However if your drums are grooved you may still have to loosen the adjuster(s) to remove the drum(s). I would caution against using too much heat since the brake cylinders do have rubber boots around the pistons and the drums may be brittle or worn so go easy with the pounding also. If you are replacing the drums then by all means have your way with them.