Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1968SWBBigBlock · 08-27-2011, 09:46 PM

I have a rear brake drum that is fubar
Is it safe to use an air chisel on the drum?
I started to use my angle grinder but just to many sparks near my truck

It would appear that the shoe assembly is stuck to the inside of the drum - when I pull the drum I can see the shoe and adjusters move with the drum
Pretty wild since this brake set only has 2500 miles since it was completly rebuilt

Somedays I just wish it could be simple!

**LockDoc** · 08-27-2011, 10:15 PM

-
You need to adjust the brake shoes in to give you some clearance. Another thing I have done is to hit the drum around the outside with a hammer as you are prying on it. Alternate the side you are prying on and hammering on. Usually that will jar the shoes loose from the drums. Make sure you are only prying on the drum and not the shoes too...

LockDoc

68gmsee · 08-27-2011, 10:15 PM

First make absolutely sure you have the adjuster all the way retracted. Use a thin small screw driver to push the adjuster retainer away to turn the wheel.

What were you going to do to the drum with the air chisel?

I've used hammer and chisel on them before with no problem but you have to be careful because they will break along the outer working area.

eagleuh1 · 08-28-2011, 12:41 AM

Adjust the star wheel in to move the break shoes away from the drum. Should slide right off. If it has big screws holding face of drum to hub, remove these first. My Dana 60has 2 per wheel.

longblue72 · 08-28-2011, 12:43 AM

Just like lockdoc and gmsee said
Loosen the adjuster and beat around the outer edge with a hammer

longblue72 · 08-28-2011, 12:44 AM

You beat me eagle! lol

stsalvage · 08-28-2011, 12:53 AM

if by chance you get it off its time to take the drums in and have them turned and aintiseze on the ajuster if the star is worn replace it and the screw driver is not a good tool to use on that star wheel get some brake tools if you plan to work on your own brakes

fastwillie 696969 · 08-28-2011, 03:15 AM

you might have to cut it off if its metal to metal backing off the adjuster wont help when the brake lining are welded to the drum ,

1968SWBBigBlock · 08-28-2011, 08:24 AM

The adjuster is turned all the way in - the shoe is hung up inside the drum - as on e prys out on the drum the entire assembly (shoes, springs, reatiners) all pull out.
It is up at the very top
As I metioned this brake set up only has 2500 miles since new drum, shoes and hardware - hard to belive they have fought me this hard

fastwillie 696969 · 08-28-2011, 09:00 AM

big sledge hammer works well

fastwillie 696969 · 08-28-2011, 09:01 AM

is the e brake on ?

mrein3 · 08-28-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastwillie 696969

big sledge hammer works well

Put the lug nuts on a few turns to protect the threads then whack the $#!t out of it with a sledge hammer. This should loosen stuff up for removal. Up here in the rust belt the drum actually rusts to the axel. I've removed MANY drums with this method.
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chevytruckluver · 08-28-2011, 01:43 PM

I cant imagine what you would be grinding on with an electric grinder to solve this problem. Use the hammer as listed above.
one other trick is to take a chisel to the pins that hold the brake shoes to the backing plate.

slikside · 08-28-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1968SWBBigBlock

The adjuster is turned all the way in - the shoe is hung up inside the drum - as on e prys out on the drum the entire assembly (shoes, springs, reatiners) all pull out.
It is up at the very top
As I metioned this brake set up only has 2500 miles since new drum, shoes and hardware - hard to belive they have fought me this hard

Yes it is. Something was not right to begin with. Maybe not adjusted properly during rebuild? I don't know....

1968SWBBigBlock · 08-28-2011, 06:59 PM

Ok its all apart
1 - one of the pin and cup assemblies fell out which prevents the adjuster from moving the back shoe - hence it is held in the wrong location, in traction, by the springs
I cut a window into the drum with my angle grinder- used my jigsaw to cut the adjuster - as soon as it was out of the way the drum came off
No hammer was going to take this off without more damage occuring unless the drum broke
Regarding cutting the nails - I considered this but was afraid I might damage the wheel cylinder going that route. In the end I think it would have been just fine.
One of these days I going to buy myself a fire wrench just for occasions like this.
I pulled the other wheel tire and drum of in less than one minute - just the way it should work.

08-27-2011, 09:46 PM	#1
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? I have a rear brake drum that is fubar Is it safe to use an air chisel on the drum? I started to use my angle grinder but just to many sparks near my truck It would appear that the shoe assembly is stuck to the inside of the drum - when I pull the drum I can see the shoe and adjusters move with the drum Pretty wild since this brake set only has 2500 miles since it was completly rebuilt Somedays I just wish it could be simple! __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

08-27-2011, 10:15 PM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,390	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? - You need to adjust the brake shoes in to give you some clearance. Another thing I have done is to hit the drum around the outside with a hammer as you are prying on it. Alternate the side you are prying on and hammering on. Usually that will jar the shoes loose from the drums. Make sure you are only prying on the drum and not the shoes too... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

08-27-2011, 10:15 PM	#3
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? First make absolutely sure you have the adjuster all the way retracted. Use a thin small screw driver to push the adjuster retainer away to turn the wheel. What were you going to do to the drum with the air chisel? I've used hammer and chisel on them before with no problem but you have to be careful because they will break along the outer working area.

08-28-2011, 12:41 AM	#4
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? Adjust the star wheel in to move the break shoes away from the drum. Should slide right off. If it has big screws holding face of drum to hub, remove these first. My Dana 60has 2 per wheel.

08-28-2011, 12:43 AM	#5
longblue72 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ellicott city maryland Posts: 150	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? Just like lockdoc and gmsee said Loosen the adjuster and beat around the outer edge with a hammer

08-28-2011, 12:44 AM	#6
longblue72 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ellicott city maryland Posts: 150	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? You beat me eagle! lol

08-28-2011, 12:53 AM	#7
stsalvage Scrapper 1 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Riverside Calif Posts: 1,649	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? if by chance you get it off its time to take the drums in and have them turned and aintiseze on the ajuster if the star is worn replace it and the screw driver is not a good tool to use on that star wheel get some brake tools if you plan to work on your own brakes

08-28-2011, 03:15 AM	#8
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? you might have to cut it off if its metal to metal backing off the adjuster wont help when the brake lining are welded to the drum , __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

08-28-2011, 08:24 AM	#9
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? The adjuster is turned all the way in - the shoe is hung up inside the drum - as on e prys out on the drum the entire assembly (shoes, springs, reatiners) all pull out. It is up at the very top As I metioned this brake set up only has 2500 miles since new drum, shoes and hardware - hard to belive they have fought me this hard __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

08-28-2011, 09:00 AM	#10
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? big sledge hammer works well __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

08-28-2011, 09:01 AM	#11
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? is the e brake on ? __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

08-28-2011, 01:43 PM	#13
chevytruckluver Eat, Sleep, Drive a Chevy Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: the town of the cow, Texas Posts: 1,152	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? I cant imagine what you would be grinding on with an electric grinder to solve this problem. Use the hammer as listed above. one other trick is to take a chisel to the pins that hold the brake shoes to the backing plate. __________________ Trey Silence may be Golden, but Duct Tape is Silver! 72 Short Step 57 "big window" short step

08-28-2011, 06:59 PM	#15
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: Is it safe to use an Air Chisel on a brake drum? Ok its all apart 1 - one of the pin and cup assemblies fell out which prevents the adjuster from moving the back shoe - hence it is held in the wrong location, in traction, by the springs I cut a window into the drum with my angle grinder- used my jigsaw to cut the adjuster - as soon as it was out of the way the drum came off No hammer was going to take this off without more damage occuring unless the drum broke Regarding cutting the nails - I considered this but was afraid I might damage the wheel cylinder going that route. In the end I think it would have been just fine. One of these days I going to buy myself a fire wrench just for occasions like this. I pulled the other wheel tire and drum of in less than one minute - just the way it should work. __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree



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