The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts COE Rear Brake Drum Question

Still working on getting my rear left brake drum free. I have backed the adjusting bolts all the way back out (turning counter clockwise as you face the back plate from the center of the frame).

Here is my question...IF the shoes were backed off and the drum turned free....if the wheels were off and I am looking at just the lug bolts and the axle and drum....should the drum be able to come off by itself to expose the shoes...OR do you have to pull the axle to get the drum off?

Thanks in advance!!

Hy chevyman, there could be two or three countersunk screws [ slotted head ] holding the drum to the hub on the outboard mount style drum, the inboard mount style you have to remove the drum and hub together and then separate them, hope that helps.

Thanks 3B...that is good to know since the drum isn't real clean, that way I don't end up breaking something because I couldn't see it.

This kind of help is fantastic for us new guys on these big trucks!

Even us guys who read thru intending to do this in the somewhat near future!

Hey 3B,
I got out there and did a little more looking....I wasn't seeing any countersunk screws...but again there is still a lot of gunk on them, trying to get that cleaned off.

If I had the countersunk screws, where should they be? On the flange with the lug bolts or someplace else?

Also, you talk about an outboard mount style drum and an inboard mount style drum...is there an easy way to tell the difference?

Thanks,

The screws should be in between the lugs. You cant miss them there about an inch across and flathead.

If you dont have them, youll need to pull your axle and there will be a locknut, lock washer and the retaining nut. After removing them the hub/drum should slide off, if its tight just use a screwdriver and work your way around prying on the back of the drum and she'll come off. Just dont force to hard.

Let us know! Jeff

Hy chevman, on the inboard mount drum you can see your hub it's the big lump in front of the drum when you remove your wheels, the outboard mount the hub is hidden under the drum, in both cases I'm talking about the flange that the drum mounts on, hope that clarifies.

I see I have the inboard mount drums (darn!). No slotted screws between the lug bolts and the hub sticks out 4 to 5 inches from the drum.

Well, the adjusting screws are backed all the way off, the emergency brake rod / cables are loose and the other wheel turns....So I think the next step is to put a single wheel back on each side in the back. Put a bunch of weight above the rear axle and pull the truck to try and break the brakes loose on that side. We have a block of cement that weighs about 1,000 lbs. If for some reason that doesn't work then I guess I'll have to break down and take the hub apart and try to pull it that way. I'm not sure when that is all going to happen, maybe next weekend. I'll let you guys know how I come out.

Kevin

Hey chevman, Post a picture, or two of your drums, so I can see your setup. I'd like to see the truck also.

Here are a few pictures of the rear drum and rear axle. Also a couple of pictures of the truck.
[img]http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/53/753/2/62/17/2127262170061479077eJAWul_th.jpg[/img]

[img]http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/557/7/2/39/2329702390061479077GQvrhM_th.jpg[/img]

[img]http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/18/18/2/93/77/2198293770061479077lbAmcM_th.jpg[/img]

[img]http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/22/23/0/88/98/2406088980061479077zMLLSO_th.jpg[/img]

[img]http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/53/553/1/72/64/2917172640061479077LPpGpP_th.jpg[/img]

Did you get the drums off yet? Just curious as I am slated for the same job...if I ever get a life any time soon again. I don't have any info to offer regarding removal. Sure is a neat truck.

Ok ok ok..... here's the *FARM* method of freeing up that stuck drum......
first of all jack up the rear end and set on stands...... (so the wheels are off the ground)... put a wheel/tire on the side that's stuck..... Now go get your (or a friends) tractor... Farmall/JD/Allis Chalmers don't matter...as long as it has a 12+ hp flat belt pto/drum. Run the flat belt from the pto and around the tire/wheel that's stuck... back up the tractor to apply belt tension...... now make sure the truck trans. is in neutral...... Now ENGAGE the PTO........ and see if that will unstick the drum......... lol
*REMEMBER* Do NOT do this without ADULT supervision.... and NEVER do this after ingesting any BEER...... all resposibility in attempting this is YOURS!!!! and if you break either the truck or the tractor???? RUNNNNNNNNNN

lmao
Michael........

Update....
Well, we put a 1,000 lb. block of cement on the rear of the frame and tried to pull the truck backward. The tire broke loose and was turning. So we switched things around and tried to pull the truck forwards...the wheel locked up again. Ultimately pulled it backward again and got it to turn again but not before wearing a flat spot on the tire and going through 3 or 4 layers of rubber (next tire boy I am glad this had duals on it).

So I broke down and started taking the drum off. Got the 8 bolts off the hub and the axle came out with no problems. Got the tang bent back and the outside lock nut came off. Took off the lock lock nut and the bearing adjuster nut, still have the thrust washer to get out and the drum and hub should come off. But I don't have a warm fuzzy about it coming off easy because I think the front brake shoe is locked up again. The drum doesn't turn freely.

Maybe it has something to do with the emergency brake linkage ??? This seems to be loose but maybe I need to unhook it all together?? it seems to be just the front brake shoe that is hanging up since it turns rolling backward but locks up when you go forward. ??? :confused:

I'll keep you all posted.

Chevman

Oh, I read through the "Farm" method and decided I valued my safety and I wasn't at the end of the rope yet so I will try a few other options first. Thanks for thinking outside the box though!

LOL.... The *FARM* method was written very "tongue-in-cheek"..... With an eye towards the stories we've all heard about the old days.... where the ol farmer would jack up a rear wheel of his Model-T and run a flat belt off it to pwr various pieces of farm equipment.....
Michael

Michael,
Well, I didn't think you were really serious with the "FARM" method but I didn't want to offend anybody either. If you watch enough of the Red Green Show you figure someone has probably tried something similar.

Anyway...finally success !!! Got the lock nut off the lock nut keeper and the inside lock not off and started doing a little rocking on the brake drum. We got it to start going side to side back and forth. So we got a couple of the flat bars you would use to get a regular tire off a rim and started prying from each side and was able to FINALLY get the drum off.

On the inside of the drum and on the shoes was a black sticky substance that I will assume is either brake fluid that leaked out of the cylinder or rear axle oil that mixed with the brake dust to make a very nice adhesive. In the warmer climate of the California coast it probably wasn't a real big deal for just pushing the truck around since it was warm enough to stay a little more fluid. But in the cooler temps of Iowa it started setting up and causing a major problem. I will get that cleaned up today and get stuff put back together and continue on my merry way. Maybe someone should market this stuff as a new floor adhesive or something to put on your rat traps??

Oh well, problem solved! Thanks for everyone's help!!

Tomcoe, the drums really weren't too bad to take off and work with if you have ever done brakes with shoes before. Yours will probably be easier than mine since they are out in that West Coast climate.

Well that doesn't sound too bad. I haven't ever had to do any axil pulls, but how hard could it be? Plenty of standard, easy brake shoe replacements.

Thanks