Stuck Brake Drum

[Blue666]

I started to remove the rear brake drums so that I can replace the rusty E-brake cables with new stainless. The left side changed out no problem but the right side wheel is locked up & I could not remove the drum.

There is no tension on the old cable as it is fuly disconnected. The pressure line is also disconnected & I have adjusted the adjuster as short as possible.

I soaked the edges wear the drum & axle contact with nut buster.

My question is how tough is the brake drum? Can I drive it off wih a 2 x 4 or use a three leg puller w/o cracking the drum?

Any ideas to remove w/o damage would be appreciated?

Thanks

[1restorick]

Take a pair of sidecutters and cut the retaining pins for the brake shoes from the back of the backing plates. THis should allow the shoe clearance to free up the drum. Also these items are cheap and easily replaced.

Good Luck.

Rick

[TwoFiftyShifter]

My '64 sat with the rear axle in he mud for a few years, so when I got it both drums were stuck. One of them came out with a large hammer, a crowbar and some PB blaster. One unfortunately required lighting the torch.

They are strong, but be sure not to snap the backing plate if your prying at it.

Forget the star adjusters, The retaining pin thing should work, but mine was unfortunately rusted not just to the shoes, but to the hub also. Soak it, pry it, beat it, repeat. If you can do it, torch it and get a new one, $35.

[Blue666]

Thanks for the ideas & guidance. I'll cut the retainers & see if I can get the drum to leap into my hands.

[madaca]

Hit it on the front shoulder with a good hammer and it should pry loose. That is what I had to do to mine. I just did them this weekend. Hit it hard. They are strong.

[Chuck78]

Mine were REALLY stuck on the axle's hub, and I had to run a razor blade around and around a few times and then soak it in Rust Buster. Then lots of hammering later, they came off. Could be the pads, or could be the axle and drum have just rusted together A LOT! Rust will expand in the joint between two pieces as it develops, and this can cause a lot of holding pressure.

Good luck.

[Blue666]

I cut the retainer pins today. That loosed the drum up a good bit I used a short 2x4 & hammer to get it the rest of the way off. Thanks for the help

[1restorick]

I'm glad to here that this technique worked for you. I learned this about 40 years ago with cars that we drove in the fields on our family farm. We would park vehicles for the winter in the fields of upstate NY. When spring came around, it would often take a little effort to get things rolling again. Not to mention, that we were not as concerned about brakes as we were power. Best of luck.

Rick