68 Chevy Pickup Drum Brakes

[cbenney]

Here it goes.... My Brother-in-law passed away earlier this year, always told me that Chevy trucks were the best! Well, he picked up a 1968 pickup 3/4 ton c20 before he got sick. NO one wanted the truck, so I took it… I was told by family members that the brakes and bearings were not working so they would need to be replaced. So, I am a rookie when it comes to repairing, but always wanted to learn... This is a nice project that should keep me busy for a while. So I at my first bump in the road...

I have reviewed and looked at a lot of threads, the one below was helpful...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283587


The problem is that I can not get the drum off the shaft... He says in the thread that the whole drum and stud assambly came right off.... mine will not. It wiggles a little but wont budge.... It feels like there is something holding it on at the top of the drum. I included pictures (hope they post)... any help of tricks would be appricated.

[vectorit]

Have you made sure that the shoes are compressed inward as far as they will go?

If the outer bearing is sloppy, it will jam against the axle tube threads.
I take a punch, and tap it around the edges to try to get it to come off straight. It's a huge pain in the but, since the drum is so large and nothing really to grab onto.

Or... you can beat on the drum with a BFH to try and shake it loose.
Be sure to wear hearing protection, since it's just like banging on a giant bell.

[cbenney]

Thanks for your advice Chris!

I am not sure how to be sure the shoes compressed inward...

I can spin the outer bearings with my screwdriver... so I dont think they are jammed, but I am not sure that is the way to tell. I know I can move them around...

I have been wacking the drum my little hammer... need to go buy a bigger one! I have not tried to take the other rear wheel drum off and see if the other wheel drum acts the same. I am going to replace that too, anyways. Maybe ill try that to see if that one comes off any easier ...

Thanks everyone for your help!
Chris B.

[cbenney]

Hey Lap15,

So, my drum does NOT spin.... so shoes are stuck?!? cool...progress!! good to know...

Another rookie question... how do I back off the shoes?

I have pressed the brake pedal but I am not sure how much resistance it should have... or even if that is they way to do it...

Chris B.

[vectorit]

OK, sounds like you are not familiar with drum brakes.

First thing I recommend contacting one of the vendors for the "big book" service manual for your truck.

Here is a video that gives a high level over view of your drum brakes, and the visual will help you understand what may be working against you in accomplishing your task.

Drum Brakes - YouTube

When I said to make sure your shoes were compressed inwards, I meant that you have to manually adjust them to contract via the star adjuster located at the bottom of the drum section.
Grab a flash light and crawl behind the brake backing plate, at the bottom section look for a rectangular window/hole. Shine your light in there, and look for that knobby wheel. That is what you need to turn to adjust the shoes inward away from the drum surface, a screw driver works but a proper adjusting tool is angled in such a way that makes it easier.

Sears sells a complete drum brake tool kit, so it would be a good investment and make your life a little easier.

[cbenney]

Ok, found the hole where I can get to the adjuster. It is actually on the side of the drum itself... I just actually got the drum to spin a little, and concludes that the shoes are pressing against the drum...so I will need to put the wheel back on and roll the truck a little to line it up with the adjuster, and then I can adjust it. I will get that "Big BooK" and brake kit ASAP. I plan on hitting up the project Saturday....

Thanks again for all your help! Will let you know how I make out!!

Wish me luck!

Chris B

[lap15]

The drum should spin freely. If it doesn't, most likely the brake shoes are stuck to the drum. Make sure you back them off and smack it with a hammer to free it up. Then it should slip off the axle tube.

[chevykevy]

I had a 1970 that had large flat head screws that hold the drum to the hud. Clean up the surface between the lugs and see if there are flat head screws.

[dmack91]

Originally Posted by chevykevy

I had a 1970 that had large flat head screws that hold the drum to the hud. Clean up the surface between the lugs and see if there are flat head screws.

If I remember correctly, on mine the front drums had screws holding them on, but not the rears. Broke 2 impact driver bits getting them loose.

[cbenney]

No flat srews holding the drum on.... good the for a check through....

hehe, have gotten "that look" many times.... The emergency brake line has broken off.... pic below... will need to replace this also.... I think it should not be engaged.... project continues tomorrow... fingers cross...

Will keep ya updated!


Chris B

[50bomb]

Oh make sure when you jack it up so both sides are up? So you can compare sides if you forget how one goes? I love drum brakes so fun to play with. Trust took me 6 years to get use to changing them haha but I never own a disc brake vehicle. That is for people who have a family to go to at the end of the day haha j/k

[Cannonball1]

Silly question, but I only ask because I have done this, but have you made sure the emergency brake is off? Seriously, I spent 30 minutes banging on a drum once before my dad came over and pulled the e-brake release. Then he gave me "that look"....

[50bomb]

^^^^I know that look too!!! hahaha!!! That look of "You dummy" ...Love it

[RenoKeene]

I've seen That Look a time or two...followed by a slight turn of the head from left to right.