getting rear brake drum off 72 4x4
 

I am working on a 72 4x4 and want to get the brake drums off to replace the shoes and the cylinders. I can not get the drums off. there are two covers but I can't see a let off adjustment. do it yourselfer needs help

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On my 72 3/4 4x4 with a Dana 60 there are retaining screws that hold on the drums.

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72 GMC 3/4 4X4 350/350
67 Camaro 454/M22 (Soon to be 427/700R4)

my 72 is a 1/2 ton. I got the drum loose and almost off but at that point, it seems as if the shoe is hanging in a groove in the drum. no retaining screws

Your shoes are hanging on a lip.
You need to loosen up the adjuster. You have to stick a small screwdriver in and push the spring-loaded pawl that keeps the dog on your adjuster from backing off. (That sounded good!) There is a spring-loaded dohicky that rests on the notched wheel and lets your brakes adjust tighter, but won't let them loosen up. It is a flat piece of tin called the pawl of a dog-and-pawl, the wheel is the dog(Old fart speak). Get a screwdriver and figure out which way you can adjust the wheel without pressing on the pawl. That way is tightening. Now press the pawl back and go the other way until you can get the drum off.

Good Luck

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Scrub
70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles
72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

If you never have seen how to de adjust drums you may find it easiest to grind the heads off the shoe holddown pins. If you look on the back of the backing plate (side closest to the differential) you will see 2 little flat round heads on either side of the backing plate. They are about 1/4"-3/8".
Grind em off and the drums will definatly come off. I have had to do that before on cars where they get real stuck. SPring kits arent very much and I always have a couple of spare pins laying here so I am not too shy of cutting them.
Good Luck.
CoryM

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1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada
http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070


"Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high."
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

just thought I'd add that the dog will turn either way if you apply enough pressure, if your going the loosen way, it will make a hard clicking sound, and pull pretty hard, don't do it much because you'll shear off the dogs on the wheel, if you go the tighten way, it will be pretty smooth and click lightly.

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Ol' Buck: '72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84
ralleys and 31/10.5s

Angel girl: 67 Cutlass convertible
330, 3spd stick

Greener: 90 GMC Jimmy
350/auto
Chad Stephens
Orleans,NE

no name yet: 72 442 under serious construction