Drum removal

[Shadow98]

Does anyone know what size bolt goes into the drum for removal? I've hammered it a few time, but it just wont come lose.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

M8? I think...

If you look carefully next to the drum, you'll see several brackets that hold the emergency brake cable to the chassis. The bolts that hold those brackets to the chassis are the proper size. You can temporarily remove one to help with the drum.

The last time I needed to remove the drums was when I did the drum/disc conversion, so I was taking off all of those brackets anyway...

 

[Defiant]

Go easy with those jacking bolts, it can crack a drum.

Make sure your shoes are retracted so they're not hanging the drums. Back off the star wheel adjuster a few turns.

 

[Shadow98]

Ok, so I tried using that bolt and it got striped. I took a closer look at the drum and it turns out that the stupid person who had it before me striped the threads on it. On top of that I can't use the other hole, because they broke off a bolt in it. I'm to the point where I just want to break it all off. Anybody have any seggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

This may sound stupid, but you did make sure that the parking brake is off, right?

If so, just whack it a few times with a hammer. Hit it on the sides, then try to pry it off with a big screwdriver. It shouldn't be that hard to get it off.

 

[Shadow98]

Yes, the e-brake was off... ... But yeah, the frist thing I tried was hammering it. No good. I will try again next week, incase I break anything, I will need to have money to buy a replacement.

 

[Wherestheboost]

Like stated above, back the shoes off a bit. Some penetrator spray and some good hammering.

 

[dr1665]

Just out of curiosity...

How many miles did you guys have on your car before you had to replace the rear drum bits? Did you have any kind of braking symptoms that led you to decide to tear into them? Reason I ask is, I have over 190,000 miles on the originals and I've yet to hear any odd noises or experience any ill-effects when stopping. I will admit, it seems like my front brakes have been wearing faster than I would like, but over the course of ten years, maybe it only seems like they wear quicker, ya know?

Just curious. Thanks.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I was at about 120,000mi. when I swapped the drums for the discs. After inspection of the drums and shoes, everything looked perfectly fine. I can't imagine why they wouldn't last for at least another 70,000mi..

I have to admit, I only swapped them because I wanted discs in the rear. There was no necessity other than that.