Removing brake drums - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukecp · 12-21-2003, 10:30 PM

I need to remove one of the brake drums on my '72 C10. I put in a new rear, and one of the drums has alot more drag than it needs to have.

Now, usually to remove them i stick a screwdriver in through the hole on the face of the drum and back off the adjuster. Well, the drums on my new rear don't have any adjuster access holes in them. They do have two holes on the backing plate, but they are too far outward. It looks like i could maybe pry up the brake shoes from the holes, but i dunno. I haven't tried yet.

The brakes work fine, and stop well, but the first 1/2" or so of the peadal is a little squisher than i like, and i would like to inspect the brake componets.

I tried beating it off with a hammer.....but i didn't hit it too hard. I don't want to crack the drums.

Thanks for any help

krue · 12-21-2003, 10:45 PM

Make sure the drums don't have knock outs for the holes, I have seen some that you had to knock out. Seems like if you pried up one side of the shoe the other side would tighten up.

jmanz69 · 12-21-2003, 11:04 PM

My adjusters were frozen when I went to take off my drums. I had to use a pry bar between the backing plate and drum. Ended up popping off one of the shoes, but they had broken springs anyway. I would double check about the knock-outs. They should be there.

lukecp · 12-21-2003, 11:16 PM

Ok...i will check for the knockouts again.

The drums had heavy rust over them...i didn't see them, but i guess i could hit up the edges with a wire cup chucked in a drill and look.

Injected68LS1 · 12-22-2003, 04:38 AM

If you cant get them to budge and you can't find those knock outs try this. There are two shoe retaining pins that go through the backing plate. You can try cutting the heads off of these. They will be at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. That should allow you to pull the shoes out farther. Maybe then you could get access to that adjuster.

Just a thought. Never tried it myself.

When you get them off replace everything with disc brakes so you never have to deal with them again.

da-burb · 12-22-2003, 11:48 AM

I don't think you have to worry abut breaking the drums when you hammer on them. I have used a sledge hammer with all the force I could muster and never broke one. When it finally lets go you have to be out of it's way because it can fly. I have seen them fly 5 to 10 feet.

cwilli84 · 12-22-2003, 12:41 PM

Oh, you can break em alright. I tried to break some wheels loose ona 64 chevelle that had been sitting in a field. cracked one not once but twice and it still wouldn't move.

12-21-2003, 10:30 PM	#1
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Removing brake drums I need to remove one of the brake drums on my '72 C10. I put in a new rear, and one of the drums has alot more drag than it needs to have. Now, usually to remove them i stick a screwdriver in through the hole on the face of the drum and back off the adjuster. Well, the drums on my new rear don't have any adjuster access holes in them. They do have two holes on the backing plate, but they are too far outward. It looks like i could maybe pry up the brake shoes from the holes, but i dunno. I haven't tried yet. The brakes work fine, and stop well, but the first 1/2" or so of the peadal is a little squisher than i like, and i would like to inspect the brake componets. I tried beating it off with a hammer.....but i didn't hit it too hard. I don't want to crack the drums. Thanks for any help __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-21-2003, 10:45 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Make sure the drums don't have knock outs for the holes, I have seen some that you had to knock out. Seems like if you pried up one side of the shoe the other side would tighten up. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-21-2003, 11:16 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Ok...i will check for the knockouts again. The drums had heavy rust over them...i didn't see them, but i guess i could hit up the edges with a wire cup chucked in a drill and look. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-22-2003, 04:38 AM	#5
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	If you cant get them to budge and you can't find those knock outs try this. There are two shoe retaining pins that go through the backing plate. You can try cutting the heads off of these. They will be at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. That should allow you to pull the shoes out farther. Maybe then you could get access to that adjuster. Just a thought. Never tried it myself. When you get them off replace everything with disc brakes so you never have to deal with them again. __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

12-22-2003, 11:48 AM	#6
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	I don't think you have to worry abut breaking the drums when you hammer on them. I have used a sledge hammer with all the force I could muster and never broke one. When it finally lets go you have to be out of it's way because it can fly. I have seen them fly 5 to 10 feet. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

12-21-2003, 11:04 PM	#3
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	My adjusters were frozen when I went to take off my drums. I had to use a pry bar between the backing plate and drum. Ended up popping off one of the shoes, but they had broken springs anyway. I would double check about the knock-outs. They should be there.

12-22-2003, 12:41 PM	#7
cwilli84 1FINE69 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 239	Oh, you can break em alright. I tried to break some wheels loose ona 64 chevelle that had been sitting in a field. cracked one not once but twice and it still wouldn't move. __________________ Had a 69 swb fleetside 350zz3 w 400turbo trans oak lined bed with rhino coated sides red exterior. SOLD



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