Question about brakes on 1967 C10

[oleguy]

On my 1967 C10, there is no slot on my backing plates or brake drums, for axcess to the break adjuster. How do I get my break drums off, without destroying things? Thanks for any help!

[michael bustamante]

ive always had to use a dead blow hammer on them.
front or rear brakes?

[oleguy]

I use a led hammer (old school) dead blow. My problem is I cannot get to the break shoe adjuster to adjust the shoes in, to allow for the drum to slide past the shoes.

[geezer#99]

If the drum won't slide off by any other method, I grind the heads off the shoe pins. You can see them on the backside of the plate. Look like a nail head.They are positioned at 9 and 3 oclock. The shoes have no anchors that way and the hub slides off.
New pins are available at the parts store.

[michael bustamante]

thats a good idea, the pins will come with a new spring kit. usually 8.00 at napa

[geezer#99]

And buy a plug for the slot you make in the backing plate when you get it apart.

[oleguy]

Thanks GEEZER. Can you send me a sketh or something for the location and size of the slots, that I will need to make for access to the break shoe adjusters? Thanks in advance.

[LockDoc]

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Are you sure there isn't a knockout plug on the front of the brake drums? There should be an indentation where the knockout plug is and you just punch it out with a punch or chisel. Sometimes they can be tough to punch out.

LockDoc

[Pythonater]

There should be two slots on the backing plate but may still be closed up. The metal in the slots breaks out easily with an air hammer or you can punch them out with hammer and chisel. There are two because the same backing plates are used on each side of the truck. You only need to punch out the one closest to the adjuster wheel, or closest to the rear I believe.