71 Nova Rear drum removal

[RHARVEY]

Need some instructions please! My daughters 71 Nova needs to have a rear wheel cylinder replaced. The problem that I have ran into is that the drum does not have a way to release the pressure on the brake shoes so that means I cant get the drum off... I thought that it was suppose to have a little window that you could reach in and back off the pressure on the shoes. .

How do you remove the drum without a cutting torch





Thanks

Rick

 

[lcoblentz]

Some early 70's Chevys had a "window" in the brake drum itself. Others had the window on the backing plate (usually covered with a rubber plug). Look at the backside of the plate (the side toward the rear diff) and see if the slot is there. Takes either a brake spoon, or some work with a screwdriver to back off the adjuster for drum removal. Good Luck!

 

[RHARVEY]

I looked and looked and I didnt see that window with the rubber plug! That was the reason that I ask because I could not find the window so I could use the brake spoon. .



Rick

 

[Kimber]

Find a good pry point with a bar or screwdriver and tap/beat the drum with a hammer on all sides

 

[SRadke]

I'm not sure about how the Nova drums are set up but on many the torch is the perfect answer. Gently heat the face of the drum around the lugs out to the outside. Get it up around 200° and try to pop it off. Usually the rust will loosen up and the hole in the center will open up to allow it to slide off.



-Scott

 

[Philip]

Those year model Nova's had the slot in the drums. Look around the outer edge of the mounting side of the drum for the knockout. Punch it out and then back the brakes off.

 

[MLimpert]

I know my 67 Impala, (with the extra fine 4 wheel drum brakes), has the plugs in the actual drums that the other members are talking about. Look for an indentation on the rim side of the drum. Make sure there aren't any stupid clips hanging around on the studs.

 

[RHARVEY]

I looked and looked and didnt see anything on the front of the drum. . I ran out of daylight so I will look at it tomorrow. .



Rick

 

[lcoblentz]

It's always possible, given the age of the car, that someone replaced the drum with one that does not have the adjuster slot in it. If this is the case, you may have to get physical with it and plan on replacing some other parts.



Larry