Remove rusted brake drum? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TwoFiftyShifter · 03-25-2009, 10:14 PM

I swear my truck must have sat in some water for a long period of time..... I'm redoing the brakes for the rear axle and can't get the drum off. It looks like its moving on the studs slighty, but must be rusted onto the axle. I'm squirting PB blaster, prying it with 2 bars and banging it with the hammer, any suggestions before I light the torch? I'd like to not spend the $35 on a new drum if possible. Any input is much obliged.

**TR65** · 03-25-2009, 10:26 PM

TwoFifty,

Sounds like the shoes are worn into the drum. Make sure the adjusters are completely backed off.

Good luck.

TR

joe231 · 03-25-2009, 10:27 PM

Have you backed off your adjuster?
probably a ridge worn into the drum

use a 3 pound hammer and hit the drum hard on the flat surface that mates to the axle.
hit it around the perimeter of the wheel studs 3 or 4 times, then wiggle the drum, if it is still stuck, hit it 3 or 4 times then wiggle the drum. repeat until the drum frees up.

TwoFiftyShifter · 03-25-2009, 10:34 PM

What adjuster? How can I do that with the drum on???

joe231 · 03-25-2009, 10:38 PM

should be a slot at the bottom of the backing plate or on the face of the drum.....use a brake spoon(or somewhat large flat screwdriver) to loosen the star wheel adjuster.....do you have any car manuals?

the adjuster spans between the brake shoes at the bottom.

TwoFiftyShifter · 03-25-2009, 10:46 PM

Wow.... didn't know I could reach the star adjuster from the bottom of the drum.... Thanks guys, I should be able to get it off tomorrow.

ratskin · 03-27-2009, 10:54 AM

Another way to skin this cat is to chisel the retainers off from the back side of the backing plate. This lets you pull off drum, shoes and all. Works great when trying to load an old truck with frozen brakes.

ratskin · 03-27-2009, 10:55 AM

I'm sure you looked, but sometimes there's a clip over the lugs that hold the drum tight....

rookierodbuilder · 03-27-2009, 03:27 PM

if ur doing your fronts dont forget that you'll have to remove 3 rivets or the entire hub/drum assembly if your running front drums.

TwoFiftyShifter · 03-27-2009, 08:12 PM

Got it off! Heated it with the torch..... Thanks dudes! Now I need a GMC drum......

03-25-2009, 10:14 PM	#1
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Remove rusted brake drum? I swear my truck must have sat in some water for a long period of time..... I'm redoing the brakes for the rear axle and can't get the drum off. It looks like its moving on the studs slighty, but must be rusted onto the axle. I'm squirting PB blaster, prying it with 2 bars and banging it with the hammer, any suggestions before I light the torch? I'd like to not spend the $35 on a new drum if possible. Any input is much obliged. __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!

03-25-2009, 10:26 PM	#2
TR65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 873	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? TwoFifty, Sounds like the shoes are worn into the drum. Make sure the adjusters are completely backed off. Good luck. TR __________________ 1965 C10 SWB Fleet Two owner LS2 Swap Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413880

03-25-2009, 10:27 PM	#3
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? Have you backed off your adjuster? probably a ridge worn into the drum use a 3 pound hammer and hit the drum hard on the flat surface that mates to the axle. hit it around the perimeter of the wheel studs 3 or 4 times, then wiggle the drum, if it is still stuck, hit it 3 or 4 times then wiggle the drum. repeat until the drum frees up. __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

03-25-2009, 10:34 PM	#4
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? What adjuster? How can I do that with the drum on??? __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!

03-25-2009, 10:38 PM	#5
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? should be a slot at the bottom of the backing plate or on the face of the drum.....use a brake spoon(or somewhat large flat screwdriver) to loosen the star wheel adjuster.....do you have any car manuals? the adjuster spans between the brake shoes at the bottom. __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 03-25-2009 at 10:42 PM.

03-25-2009, 10:46 PM	#6
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? Wow.... didn't know I could reach the star adjuster from the bottom of the drum.... Thanks guys, I should be able to get it off tomorrow. __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!

03-27-2009, 10:54 AM	#7
ratskin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Western IL Posts: 358	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? Another way to skin this cat is to chisel the retainers off from the back side of the backing plate. This lets you pull off drum, shoes and all. Works great when trying to load an old truck with frozen brakes.

03-27-2009, 10:55 AM	#8
ratskin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Western IL Posts: 358	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? I'm sure you looked, but sometimes there's a clip over the lugs that hold the drum tight....

03-27-2009, 03:27 PM	#9
rookierodbuilder Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sharpsburg, Ky. Posts: 110	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? if ur doing your fronts dont forget that you'll have to remove 3 rivets or the entire hub/drum assembly if your running front drums.

03-27-2009, 08:12 PM	#10
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Re: Remove rusted brake drum? Got it off! Heated it with the torch..... Thanks dudes! Now I need a GMC drum...... __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!



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