Damn drum!

[Mike Culpepper]

Trying to replace the wheel cylinders and shoes on the rear of my '72 (discs up front and drums in back). Can't get adjuster to budge at ALL on passenger side, either tighter or looser. Using angled wire to pull actuating lever out prior to trying to adjust shoes OUT. Star wheel doesn't apepar to budge either in or out! ANy tips/tricks????????
Tried a MFH(medium F!@#ing hammer, but havent pulled the BFH yet!

[airdale94]

Break off the heads on the shoe hold down pins on the backing plate. And or try to dislodge the adjuster from the shoes. Then hammer off drums. A air hammer with a blunt punch works best. Or big punch and big hammer.

[WIDESIDE72]

I have had to grind/ drilled the heads off the shoe retaining pins then us a brake drum pulled to get drums off! (luckily only once)
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[cdowns]

r u havin problem getting drum off? i dont see u stating that in your post??

[Mike Culpepper]

Sorry, yes I can't get the drum off. The star wheel doesn't want to budge so far(accessing it through the knockout in the drum).

[1972RedNeck]

Put a heating tip on your torch (or get a propane branding torch) and get the drum really, really hot. Throw 10 to 20 gallons of ice cold water on it. It should literally fall off.

[68gmsee]

You say you're trying to adjust shoes out. Is that what you meant to say?

I use a thing screwdriver to push the adjuster out of the way and then retract the shoes all the way. I have used a larger screwdriver to move the star wheel in the past but a good brake adjusting tool works a lot better. I always have to think about which way to move the star wheel on this step when I do mine. As you know the adjuster lever moves the star wheel top down on the outside so you want to go top down on the inward side to retract the shoes.

[wilbilt]

Can you get some good penetrant on the star wheel threads through the adjuster hole? Like a can of PB Blaster (using the little red tube that I always lose)?

[Mike Culpepper]

No I meant to say I'm trying to move shoes IN. I have been soaking the threads on the star wheel -need to go to town for more penetrating oil today.
I ordered brake locating pins in case I have to grind off these to get drum off. THe drum turns easily so I guess I'm surprised I'm having trouble. DOuble checked that parking brake is not engaged. I've got one of those star wheel screwdrivers that is angled on one end, and a bent wire to hold actuator lever off of wheel. I'll have to check to see if I have any acetylene/O2 (it's been a a long time since I used the torch). I assume the torch method won't ruin anything?

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by Mike Culpepper

I assume the torch method won't ruin anything?

Isn't that the purpose of a torch? Wait to use it until you are frustrated, and then ruin the most important part in the process of trying to remove the least important part?

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Isn't that the purpose of a torch? Wait to use it until you are frustrated, and then ruin the most important part in the process of trying to remove the least important part?

I think he meant to heat the adjuster to loosen it up...

Forgot to add: or the drum around the axle.

[cdowns]

are u sure that those little spring metal things are not screwed on a few of the wheel studs and holding the drum in place?

[KEL]

just to clarify, is the drum hung up on
the shoes or frozen to the axle ?

[wilbilt]

Originally Posted by cdowns

are u sure that those little spring metal things are not screwed on a few of the wheel studs and holding the drum in place?

I don't think GM was using those in 1971. I have never seen them on anything older than 1982 or so. I have never replaced them after removing them (cut them off with dykes), but I know they were available from Bendix as part of their brake hardware line in the 80's-90's.

It has always been my understanding they were only there to keep the drums in place during assembly.

[Mike Culpepper]

I can't say for sure if the shoes or something else is the problem? I can't get the drum off. I also can't get the star wheel to turn at all as far as I can tell.
I can't see ANY clearance between the drum and the center of the wheel axle? I;m not sure that is the correct nomenclature or not. I am soaking the star wheel threads with PB Blaster , so we'll see.........................
Mike

[Mike Culpepper]

thanks,
Mike

[Stocker]

You said the drum turns easily, so the parking brake is obviously not set. My guess is the drum is worn and now has a lip that's keeping it from sliding off over the shoes. Depending on how badly it's worn, the drum may need to be replaced -- so there may be little to lose if you end up ruining it while removing it. You're doing the right thing trying to turn the star adjuster, but it's frozen and won't turn. Hopefully the PB Blaster will eventually work.

[Mike Culpepper]

Just an update, FINALLY got the drum off. Turns out didn't need to collapse shoes as the drum was seized to the hub. I took a round punch, pinged right on the drum near the hub, rotated drum and continued. Every so often I hit the outside of the drum in various places. Took about 10 minutes of this and then it broke loose. The star adjuster was NEVER going to turn! I finally got it loose by putting it in a vise and putting 1 1/2 grunts on it.
Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.
THe shoes have plenty of meat on 'em, but the drivers side has been soaked with brake fluid, so I will replace them, since my 16 yr old wants to drive her occasionally (pray for my '72!!!!)
Any favorite shoe makers? Leaning toward Monroe or Raybestos bonded shoes
Mike

[Stocker]

Glad you finally got it loosened up! Can't recommend a best shoe.... I got mine at NAPA, no problems.

After the star adjusters are thoroughly cleaned up and moving freely, put a thin coat of antisieze on the threads.

[Mike Culpepper]

On the list......was also going to put a little on the 2?-4? flat "bosses" on the backer plate where shoes contact the backer plate, and small amount where the drum rust-welded itself to the hub!