Removing brake drums

[lukecp]

I need to remove one of the brake drums on my '72 C10. I put in a new rear, and one of the drums has alot more drag than it needs to have.

Now, usually to remove them i stick a screwdriver in through the hole on the face of the drum and back off the adjuster. Well, the drums on my new rear don't have any adjuster access holes in them. They do have two holes on the backing plate, but they are too far outward. It looks like i could maybe pry up the brake shoes from the holes, but i dunno. I haven't tried yet.

The brakes work fine, and stop well, but the first 1/2" or so of the peadal is a little squisher than i like, and i would like to inspect the brake componets.

I tried beating it off with a hammer.....but i didn't hit it too hard. I don't want to crack the drums.

Thanks for any help