Why wont my drums come off?

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I cant get the rear drums on my 72 c10 to come off for the life of me! Whats the trick?

[msgross]

You need to back the self adjusters off, there should be a "peek hole" on the back side near the bottom. This will allow you to stick a flat blade screwdriver in and rotate the star wheel of the adjuster. I can't remember which way to adjust though, might want to google that (up I think)!

or they could be frozen with crud so try some PB Blaster lube and a BFH to loosen things up

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I have two slots at aprox. 5 and 7 oclock positions that are covered by metal tabs that i popped out, but I do not see the adjuster. There isnt a hole or slot at the bottom (6 oclock position)

Everything seems to be loose enough, I can rock them side to side, but it just wont come off.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

ok, I pried at the edge of the drum and shined a light inside, I can see the star wheel , but I cant get to it. Unless someone has a trick, I guess I'll get the grinder out and make a slot.

[AustinScott]

Originally Posted by Chris4x4Gill2

ok, I pried at the edge of the drum and shined a light inside, I can see the star wheel , but I cant get to it. Unless someone has a trick, I guess I'll get the grinder out and make a slot.

just rotate the drum around until it aligns with the adjuster, you might have to smack it back on a bit fist if you pryed on it.
Attach a rim or tire to help you spin them if they are really stuck.

EDIT: OK just noticed your adjustment hole was in the shield not the drum, use a 3/8" drill and drill a hole in the drum. This will allow you to reach the adjuster, just be careful.
My truck does not have the adjustment holes in the rear, and the new drums I bought didn't have holes either, so I just had to drill my own hole. It was easy, but this was with the drum off of the truck. With them on you just have to go easy

[Coda O'Dell]

I just replaced my brake shoes and there is no hole to adjust the adjuster so i know this may not be the right way but I just took a big hammer and hit around the edge and rotated it after a few wacks.

[72freak]

Originally Posted by Coda O'Dell

I just replaced my brake shoes and there is no hole to adjust the adjuster so i know this may not be the right way but I just took a big hammer and hit around the edge and rotated it after a few wacks.

Sometimes there is no adjuster hole.....It was not punched out. When there is no hole and you cant get itpunched out you will have to pry them out and try to spin the wheel or grind or drill off the head of the retainer studs holding the shoes on......on the back side of the backing plate.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I'm going to give it a try with the drill and see if I can get to the adjuster and then go from there.

[robzilla]

Originally Posted by Chris4x4Gill2

I'm going to give it a try with the drill and see if I can get to the adjuster and then go from there.

take some pictures once you got the hole drilled. i'm gonna have to do the same thing...

[72lb4x4]

It doesn't make much sense to drill holes when you've stated the slots/holes are there but in the wrong place (5 and 7). The drum turns. Rotate it so the slots are at 6 and 12.

A brake drum puller exists. You may want to check some parts stores to see if they have one. Don't be surprised to be told they don't exist.

Does the drum move off the axle when prying on it? If not, it may be rusted to the axle. Maybe some heat.

[monolith]

You might also whack them along the rim of the drum a few times with a brass hammer.

Sometimes they rust to the hub.

Also- there may be countersunk retaining screws on the drum face that hold it on to the hub.

[panhandler62]

Mine had no holes at all.

One came off easily, the other not so much. I clipped all of the retainers but the ridge still had the drum trapped on. I finally had to go get a big freaking claw puller and drag the drum off by brute force.

[Mike Bradbury]

Just a simple clarification question, Some times there are 2 slot screws in between the bolt pattern on the wheel side of the drum that holds it to the brake assembly. My C20 has them, not sure if C10's have them but if they get dirty they are easy to miss.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I couldnt get a drill onto the back side so I used the grinder to put a slot in the backing plate. Once i could get to the adjusting star wheel, the driver side came right off.

I did the same to the pass. side, but it still wont budge. The star wheel will not move in the "loose" direction, it will tighten though. I'm still working on this one.

And FWIW, when the drum came off, everything on the inside completely fell apart.

[panhandler62]

Nothing about mine was easy.... heck.. it took a couple hours at the end, with a torch and an impact wrench, to get the backing plates off (I converted to discs.)