2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 96 rear brake job

[tcaron]

How do you get your brake drum off?

 

[Signal73]

Have you completely backed off the star wheel? Also make sure the parking brake is off. Once those two items have been checked off if it is still firmly in place it may have some rust holding it on. From the back side of the drum tap around the outside circumference evenly to break the drum free from the rust holding it place.

if you need instruction on backing off the star wheel around the 4 min mark of this video there’s a good visual aid as to how the adjustment mechanism works

 

[GAmes]

Rather than beating on it, jack both rear tires off the ground and use some good jack stands. Block the front tires. Take the wheels and tires off and install a couple lug nuts back onto the studs but leave a quarter inch or so of threads showing. Start it up, put the transmission in gear and get the rear hubs spinning. Mash the brakes and the inertia will break the drums loose. It might take a couple tries. The nuts are there to prevent the drums from coming off and creating havoc.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"The nuts are there to prevent the drums from coming off and creating havoc."

That could be very entertaining.

 

[GAmes]

"The nuts are there to prevent the drums from coming off and creating havoc."

That could be very entertaining.

Not to those in the path of the runaway drums.

 

[Matt42]

Rather than beating on it, jack both rear tires off the ground and use some good jack stands. Block the front tires. Take the wheels and tires off and install a couple lug nuts back onto the studs but leave a quarter inch or so of threads showing. Start it up, put the transmission in gear and get the rear hubs spinning. Mash the brakes and the inertia will break the drums loose. It might take a couple tries. The nuts are there to prevent the drums from coming off and creating havoc.

I wish I had about this method known this long ago when I had more than one set of stuck drums.

 

[surfbeetle]

Rather than beating on it, jack both rear tires off the ground and use some good jack stands. Block the front tires. Take the wheels and tires off and install a couple lug nuts back onto the studs but leave a quarter inch or so of threads showing. Start it up, put the transmission in gear and get the rear hubs spinning. Mash the brakes and the inertia will break the drums loose. It might take a couple tries. The nuts are there to prevent the drums from coming off and creating havoc.

I can attest that this is the way to properly remove the drums.