Archived removing rear brake drums

[jkh]

Anyone have any hints on how to get a drum off thet is rusted onto the axle housing. I sprayed it with liquid wrench twice and have been beating around the outside of it for a half hour and I don't think it budged. It isn't stuck on the shoes either because then it would have spring to it when I beat on it , this is just frozen. Any tips are appreciated. I'm going to keep beating on it after lunch.

 

[Joe G.]

Jack up the rear end. Probably done that already, but you want both sides off the floor. Put a few lug nuts on loose. Start it up and put it in gear. Hit the brakes. Do it again in reverse. That should break them loose. Make you have have a few lug nuts on there or the drum may take off rolling away.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Use LOTS of WD40 or PB Blaster, and hit the top part of the drum HARD with a 32 oz hammer. It'll come right off.

 

[daveshoe]

I saw a pro installer use the impact hammer he uses for cutting mufflers . he had a blunt chisel [ all the point cut off ] and hit all around the surface. . He also used PB Blaster.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

PB Blaster is some good stuff... IMO, its the best penetrating oil on the market...

 

[illflem]

PB Blaster is good but I like Kroil better - http://www.kanolabs.com/

Liquid Wrench is junk, many old timers swear by diesel fuel

 

[JMichelson]

No Sweat Removel

I’ve shared this before and I’ll share it again. Take a 1-inch diameter brass punch and a hammer. Strike the drum between the wheel studs moving around the studs in the same order you would use to torque the lug nuts. After usually 3 or 4 whacks the drum will pop right off. It’s the easiest way I have found to get a stubborn drum off. Jeff.

 

[Joe Mc]

jkh - Joe G. hit the nail on the head. I've had to hold the brake on and go from rev to drive and back. You should hear a loug "ping" or "pop" as each one lets loose.



Make sure you have stands under the housing and chuck the front wheels for personal and truck safety. Works every time.

 

[jkh]

Joe G. 's method has to be the easiest way I've ever gotten stuck drums off. Worked like a champ!Fwd. once-hit the brakes;rev. once-hit the brakes; hear a loyd rattle and it was loose. I had an 89 Chevy that always had the rears stuck on and I had to beat them off.

From now on this is the first thing I will do before I even attempt to pull the drums,Why put up a fight when I don't have to.

Thanks to all.

 

[LandShark]

After you get the drums off take some emery cloth and clean up the drum where it touches the axle. Then put a very small amount of anti-seize on the same spot. Next time you pull the drums, they will slide right off!