Removing brake drums - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ssuper_nova_71 · 08-22-2003, 11:26 AM

Hey guys, I have the HO72 rear end in my truck (69)
How do you get the drums off? I took the tires off, and could not remove the brake drum.
Am I missing something?

*rickspickuppart* · 08-22-2003, 11:30 AM

make sure you back off the brake shoes there may be a ridge and hanging up on it

Jwill41 · 08-22-2003, 11:32 AM

I always pry behind it at the top while hitting lightly with hammer at the bottom. They are usyally stuck around the center hole.

Canada20 · 08-22-2003, 03:31 PM

I don't know if they fit our drums, but I assume they would; you can rent a drum brake puller if it's stuck. I'm partial to that 'cuz my landlord owns a rental shop and he lets me use tools for free.

Greg

(oops...just realized it probably wouldn't work 'cuz of the full floating hub...sorry)

gmc67swb · 08-22-2003, 04:12 PM

DONT FORGET ONCE YOU BACK OFF THE ADJUSTER TO HIT IT SIDE TO SIDE WITH THE PALM OF YOUR HAND. THIS WILL HELP GET THE SHOES AWAY FROM THE DRUMS. LIKE THEY SAID YOUR SHOES HAVE MORE THAN LIKELY WORN A RIDGE INTO YOUR DRUMS CAUSING THE DRUM TO HANG ON THE SIDE OF THE SHOES AS YOU TRY TO PULL THEM OFF.

oldtrucknut · 08-22-2003, 04:13 PM

Try striking it with a hammer between the lugs. That usually works for me, but I have also spent hours of beating on a drum that was seized to get it off. Good luck.

ssuper_nova_71 · 08-22-2003, 04:45 PM

Well the drums are not locked. I drive it around fine. I just want to check the brakes and the hardware.
I have the floating rear, and there is this big thing either on the drum or in front of the drum.
Well, This weekend i'll try to remove it again. I'll just get the 3 lb sledg hammer and see what happens.

**john** · 08-22-2003, 05:18 PM

You probably have inboard drums ,Which means you have to pull the axles and wheel brgs. The drums are on the back side of the hubs on the GM diff. The DANA drums pull off from the front.

Longhorn Man · 08-23-2003, 09:38 PM

Yup, pull the axles out, and don't be afraid to beat the crap out of that drum with something bigger than a 3 pound hammer.
We use sledge hammers on them at work, and the only ones ever damaged were so thin that only a morron would try to use it again.

08-22-2003, 11:26 AM	#1
ssuper_nova_71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: ARIZONA Posts: 31	Removing brake drums Hey guys, I have the HO72 rear end in my truck (69) How do you get the drums off? I took the tires off, and could not remove the brake drum. Am I missing something?

08-22-2003, 11:32 AM	#3
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	I always pry behind it at the top while hitting lightly with hammer at the bottom. They are usyally stuck around the center hole. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

08-22-2003, 03:31 PM	#4
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	I don't know if they fit our drums, but I assume they would; you can rent a drum brake puller if it's stuck. I'm partial to that 'cuz my landlord owns a rental shop and he lets me use tools for free. Greg (oops...just realized it probably wouldn't work 'cuz of the full floating hub...sorry) __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right?

08-22-2003, 04:12 PM	#5
gmc67swb Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Mesquite, Tx Posts: 396	DONT FORGET ONCE YOU BACK OFF THE ADJUSTER TO HIT IT SIDE TO SIDE WITH THE PALM OF YOUR HAND. THIS WILL HELP GET THE SHOES AWAY FROM THE DRUMS. LIKE THEY SAID YOUR SHOES HAVE MORE THAN LIKELY WORN A RIDGE INTO YOUR DRUMS CAUSING THE DRUM TO HANG ON THE SIDE OF THE SHOES AS YOU TRY TO PULL THEM OFF. __________________ GM 330HP/350, Magnuson 122HH, Tremec TKO 5spd

08-22-2003, 04:13 PM	#6
oldtrucknut 67-72 truck surgeon Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 155	Try striking it with a hammer between the lugs. That usually works for me, but I have also spent hours of beating on a drum that was seized to get it off. Good luck. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 1993 Toyota Camry LE 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 diesel 2008 Dodge Charger Super Bee 1953 International R182

08-22-2003, 11:30 AM	#2
rickspickuppart Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,284	make sure you back off the brake shoes there may be a ridge and hanging up on it

08-22-2003, 04:45 PM	#7
ssuper_nova_71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: ARIZONA Posts: 31	Well the drums are not locked. I drive it around fine. I just want to check the brakes and the hardware. I have the floating rear, and there is this big thing either on the drum or in front of the drum. Well, This weekend i'll try to remove it again. I'll just get the 3 lb sledg hammer and see what happens.

08-22-2003, 05:18 PM	#8
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	You probably have inboard drums ,Which means you have to pull the axles and wheel brgs. The drums are on the back side of the hubs on the GM diff. The DANA drums pull off from the front. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

08-23-2003, 09:38 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yup, pull the axles out, and don't be afraid to beat the crap out of that drum with something bigger than a 3 pound hammer. We use sledge hammers on them at work, and the only ones ever damaged were so thin that only a morron would try to use it again.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.