Rear Drums - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

colohusker · 06-07-2002, 09:09 PM

Okay, went to bleed the brakes since I had very little pedal, and mushy at that. Broke the bleeder screw off on a rear drum since it was rusted on there. Took the wheels off, trying to get the drums off to replace the wheel cylinders, and the #$!@ drums won't come off.

Anyone have any special tricks to get drums off? It's on a '71 1/2 ton, don't know the axle right off hand, but it's the original one. I punched out the adjusting hole, seems that the springs and self adjuster are laying in the bottom of the drum, and the shoes are floating loose. I can flex the outside rim of the drums forward, and see the drum move on the lug studs, but the center is stuck and won't move.

Any suggestion short of a nuclear device will be considered!

Scott

Mike C · 06-07-2002, 10:05 PM

As a last ditch effort, you can grind the tops off the pins that hold the pads to the backing plate. You can then pull the whole mess far enough out to get it apart. You'll have to go buy some new parts, though... If all of the adjuster parts have fallen out, sounds like you have major failure of something. I'd be hard pressed to believe it was hung up if the star wheel adjuster was gone. Check again.

Gordo · 06-07-2002, 10:13 PM

Is it frozen to the axle? A couple of sharp, hard blows with a BFH on the outside edge usually breaks them loose, if not try some heat, then a BFH.

J · 06-07-2002, 11:09 PM

I argee with Gordo. Happened to me once, I took a torch and heated it up (not too much) whacked it a few times, let it cool and whacked it again. came right off

*racedvl* · 06-07-2002, 11:17 PM

You are hung up on the shoes no doubt! If you can't loosen them do what Mike C said. Destroy the pins that hold the shoes to the backing plate.

colohusker · 06-08-2002, 02:43 AM

Thanks for the suggestions! 30 minutes of torch work per wheel, and 5-6 whacks with a 6lb sledge broke them free. On both wheels, had to replace the adjuster, springs, hold downs, shoes, and drums. It appears that one of the hold downs on each wheel either rusted away, or otherwise disappeared, freeing the shoe, adjuster, etc. to fall down and get ground up against the drum.

Tomorrow I get to see what's wrong with the front, thank god their discs! Figure replace caliper, piston, rotor and pads and I might actually be able to stop!

Once again, thanks for the suggestions!

Scott

06-07-2002, 09:09 PM	#1
colohusker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 436	Rear Drums Okay, went to bleed the brakes since I had very little pedal, and mushy at that. Broke the bleeder screw off on a rear drum since it was rusted on there. Took the wheels off, trying to get the drums off to replace the wheel cylinders, and the #$!@ drums won't come off. Anyone have any special tricks to get drums off? It's on a '71 1/2 ton, don't know the axle right off hand, but it's the original one. I punched out the adjusting hole, seems that the springs and self adjuster are laying in the bottom of the drum, and the shoes are floating loose. I can flex the outside rim of the drums forward, and see the drum move on the lug studs, but the center is stuck and won't move. Any suggestion short of a nuclear device will be considered! Scott __________________ ------------------------------------------------ I say it's only money, my wife says it's only a truck.... '71 C10 Deluxe, factory ac, ps, pb, should be done by 2102 Longmont, CO husker95@hotmail.com

06-07-2002, 10:05 PM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	As a last ditch effort, you can grind the tops off the pins that hold the pads to the backing plate. You can then pull the whole mess far enough out to get it apart. You'll have to go buy some new parts, though... If all of the adjuster parts have fallen out, sounds like you have major failure of something. I'd be hard pressed to believe it was hung up if the star wheel adjuster was gone. Check again. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-07-2002, 10:13 PM	#3
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Is it frozen to the axle? A couple of sharp, hard blows with a BFH on the outside edge usually breaks them loose, if not try some heat, then a BFH. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

06-07-2002, 11:09 PM	#4
J Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 164	I argee with Gordo. Happened to me once, I took a torch and heated it up (not too much) whacked it a few times, let it cool and whacked it again. came right off __________________ '72 C-10 '99 Silverado '91 S-Dime

06-08-2002, 02:43 AM	#6
colohusker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 436	Thanks for the suggestions! 30 minutes of torch work per wheel, and 5-6 whacks with a 6lb sledge broke them free. On both wheels, had to replace the adjuster, springs, hold downs, shoes, and drums. It appears that one of the hold downs on each wheel either rusted away, or otherwise disappeared, freeing the shoe, adjuster, etc. to fall down and get ground up against the drum. Tomorrow I get to see what's wrong with the front, thank god their discs! Figure replace caliper, piston, rotor and pads and I might actually be able to stop! Once again, thanks for the suggestions! Scott __________________ ------------------------------------------------ I say it's only money, my wife says it's only a truck.... '71 C10 Deluxe, factory ac, ps, pb, should be done by 2102 Longmont, CO husker95@hotmail.com

06-07-2002, 11:17 PM	#5
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	You are hung up on the shoes no doubt! If you can't loosen them do what Mike C said. Destroy the pins that hold the shoes to the backing plate.

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