And while we're talking about drum brake maintenance tips, here is one that has saved me serious frustration every time. When re-installing brake shoes & hardware, install everything, but leave the long upper (horizontal self adjust) spring disconnected on one side. Then wrap a ratchet-strap around the entire brake shoe assembly, and start tightening it up. Double check everything is aligned and installed, then tighten the ratchet strap till the self adjuster shaft is as tight as possible. Grab some pliers and the last long spring hook will only take a second to snap into position. You're done.

 

Thanks for this, ShredTheGnar. I'm working away on my '84 and wow, it's getting hammered. But I'll take a little time for the penetrating oil to get to work. I've got those stripped out threads on the drum face to contend with, too... Thanks all for their suggestions.

 

It took a wheel falling off for my drum to break free..

 

Just curious what bolts are you using in the holes in the brake drums??

M8x1.25 ?? I work on these vehicles all the time From Celicas to 4x4 i guess I have been lucky to not strip out any holes.

With drums Made in China so cheap new drums with new shoes.

 

So after some attention with my bfh, I located some (approximately M8x1.25 bolts and tried them anyway, even though I thought the holes were stripped out. They held, and since the BioLube did its job (http://www.biolubes.us/), I experienced a satisfying POP as the drum slowly came off thanks to the bolts pressing the drum off. The pads were down just to the point of showing metal, which means I will soon be installing this:
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new...uct.php?id=128
I lightly greased the inside of the drum where it contacts the studs and so it should be easy to pull off next time. Sanded off a bunch of rust, cleaned everything blah blah blah and now I need to spend $450 on the Sky disc conversion kit.

 

This is an old thread, but I know the easiest method of all to remove rear brake drums - stuck or otherwise.

Take it to one of the brake chain outfits that advertise "Free Brake Inspection". Bring the truck in and say "Just check the rears please".

 

haaaaaaaaaaaaa...awesome!!!

 

Hey guys I was just looking on here because i was having the same problem getting a drum off, then i remembered this pearl of wisdom that is truly the EASY WAY-- in between each stud is a hole in the drum, they are equally spaced, in between two of the studs and smaller holes are two more holes that are 180 degrees of eachother ( top and bottom) those two are threaded, i'm not sure the pitch but I just grabbed a pair of bolts that were close and got lucky. find two bolts thread them in and torque each one a little at a time and the drum is forced off. could not be easier. this is pretty universal to all drum applications that I know of.