How to remove seized on brake drum

[barrie2777]

The passenger side rear wheel is seized. I assume this as a brake problem. How do I go about removing the drum?

[Jewbacca]

beat the hell out of it with a hammer.

[MalibuSSwagon]

yep you're going to just have to use some brute force.

[geezer#99]

If wacking it with a hammer don't work then look for the heads of the shoe retaining pins on the backing plate. They look like the heads of nails. Grind them off and everything (shoes, springs, retainers, drum) will pull right off.
You get new pins in a complete hardware kit.

[Just call me Sean]

You guys are brutal.

Go through the little hole with a brake spoon and back off the shoes. If it's seized to the axle itself THEN you use the hammer.

[72freak]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

if wacking it with a hammer don't work then look for the heads of the shoe retaining pins on the backing plate. They look like the heads of nails. Grind them off and everything (shoes, springs, retainers, drum) will pull right off.
You get new pins in a complete hardware kit.

x2

[barrie2777]

What happens if I jack up that wheel then drive forward? Will I spin the tire or break something else?

[wideopen1967]

Put the truck securely on jack stands. Remove wheels. Spray brake hub where it meets axle and lug nuts liberally with PB Blaster or Kroil. Close shop go to bed.

Come back day later, repeat above process.

Come back third day. Install two lug nuts on both drums to keep from launching drums into neighbors yard.

Start up truck. (Truck is still on jack stands right?) Place foot on brake and put truck in gear. Remove foot from brake. Accelerate, stop, repeat. Put truck in reverse, accelerate stop repeat.

Drums should be broken free. If not beat off with BFH.....

[barrie2777]

The drum is off by beating it with a 10-lb hammer. Nothing broken.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

You guys are brutal.

Go through the little hole with a brake spoon and back off the shoes. If it's seized to the axle itself THEN you use the hammer.

Agreed. This would have been the proper way to do it.

[motornut]

start with checking for a rust ridge @ axle to drum hole,wire wheel that off.
I spoon too when I can....when it's hammer time (leave a nut on and) hit the edge,not the front.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

You guys are brutal.

Go through the little hole with a brake spoon and back off the shoes. If it's seized to the axle itself THEN you use the hammer.

That will work as long as your adjuster isn't seized as well. We have had to cut the centers of the drums out before to get in there and get everything broke loose to get the outer part of the drum off. Not the way we wanted to do it but it had to be done.