Topic: Can't remove rear brake drum....

[sggirbyt]

on my 87 4 runner. I noticed i had brake fluid leaking from the PS rear drum and tried to remove it with no luck. I tried using bolts in the threaded holes on the drum itself, still nothing. What am I doing wrong? I have never had this much of a problem trying to remove a drum.

[Wermz84]

I've had a few that were difficult before.   I used a hammer and a pry bar on the back lip of the drum itself.   good luck.

[Slolyfe]

Dont use a hammer and pry bar! there is a little oval slot on the axle side of the drum. If you use 2 flathead screwdrivers push the smaller one in the hole and you will see a ratcheting wheel in there. Spin the wheel the opposite way it would ratchet that will release the pads. Look at the one you already have off and this will make more sense.

[Wermz84]

Dont use a hammer and pry bar! there is a little oval slot on the axle side of the drum. If you use 2 flathead screwdrivers push the smaller one in the hole and you will see a ratcheting wheel in there. Spin the wheel the opposite way it would ratchet that will release the pads. Look at the one you already have off and this will make more sense.

I was assuming he had already tried that.   When I had to do that I had already backed out the adjuster.

[Slolyfe]

I have deffinatly beat and broken my fairshare of drums. hahaha

[Slolyfe]

and make sure your Ebrake is off!!!

[Wermz84]

I have deffinatly beat and broken my fairshare of drums. hahaha

Just be mindfull of the backing plate.

[KYOTA]

when you tried the bolts to press the drum off were you tapping on the face of the axle as you tightened the bolts?

[Joey88RUNR]

you might end up ripping the lining off of the shoe....thats what happend to me when i did it

[All_Set]

when you tried the bolts to press the drum off were you tapping on the face of the axle as you tightened the bolts?

What is this *tapping* you are referring about?  If you mean grabbing the biggest dead blow you have and beating the living snot out of it.. Then I concur!

Get longer bolts!!  Tighten them up a bit, then start *tapping*.  Repeat until the drum falls off.

[79coyotefrg]

and make sure your Ebrake is off!!!

  i actual am guilty of NOT doing that a couple days ago on a friends truck, i was beating the crap out of it and then after a few

i asked him if he set the parking brake, he said "well duh, your supposed to when you jack it up"     i felt like such a idiot for NOT telling him first to leave it off

[OOPS]

When all else fails I , disconnect the e-brake cable, disconnect the brake line, take the four bolts that hold the axle on the housing. Pull the whole thing out, lay a piece of 2 x 8 on the ground and slam the axle, lug studs down on it. 1-2 slams and the drum pops off if I remember to back the adjuster off.

[emsvitil]

Is it rust welded in the center or are the shoes holding it on?

For the shoes, back them off........

If rusted welded, I've put a gear puller on the drum,

then start the engine up,

put in first gear, let clutch out, put clutch in

put in reverse, let clutch out, put clutch in

alternate between 1st and R to walk drum off the hub.

[sggirbyt [OP]]

The E-brake is off, I backed out the adjuster and "tapped" it with a 16oz ball peen hammer while trying the bolts, still no luck. I am next going to try OOPS suggestion. Thank you for all the replies fellas, I will let you know the outcome within the next couple days.

[kneedownnate]

I have one drum on my 4by that won't come off, probably worn down too far.  I just figured when I really felt like dealing with it I'd stick a cutting wheel on the die grinder and go to town!

[hilux-1983]

Well? I'm biting my nails. How'd it go?

[95yotakid]

try shocking it hitting it in between the studs and the give it a pull

[sggirbyt [OP]]

I have been SUPER busy at work, I am finaly going to get after it today. I will post results