Removing the brake drum - Stuck???

[ems4ty]

Any good tips on removing the brake drums without having to pull the axles?

The TM said to remove the tire and then remove all the outer (smaller) nuts and washers. Then pry off the drum.

Sounds easy, but I couldn't get my drums to break loose, even after soaking in liquid wrench. Also, there's no place to "Pry" the drum off.

All I want to do is get access to the brake linings and check the wheel cylinders. I think I have one leaking because of some old saturation...

Thanks,

Tyler

 

[WillWagner]

Just pull the axles. Then you can do the seals too. It's fairly easy.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Did you try to back off the brake pads? That helped mine alot!

 

[ems4ty]

I didn't try to back off the shoes because they spun freely. Just couldn't get the drum to even budge from the studs. I didn't want to pull the axle because I've nothing but bad luck recently with this truck leaking all different fluids. Since the axles are not leaking right now, I didn't want to press my luck. Besides, I don't have replacement gaskets either, though I could cut new ones from a sheet, but haven't had much luck with that yet either. (The gasket for the air compressor to block mounting bracket was a pain in the neck...)

 

[Recovry4x4]

Better off to pull it apart as a unit. You have bearings there that will need servicing. If you just want to check lining wear, you can check that through the inspection hole in the drum. Usually covered by a little metal plate.