The rear drums on My '59 won't come off, I checked and the shoes are backed off and not against the drum, What is the easiest way to get them popped off so I can inspect the rear shoes?

 

Where the pilot of the axle flange sticks out of the drum, wire brush and file to remove all rust and buildup. Then soak area with penetrating oil of your choice. If that does not do it, then apply heat to the face of the drumfrom just outside of the bolt circle to near the pilot (try not to heat the pilot). Apply the heat quickly, and hit the back edges of the drum with a brass or lead hammer. Or you can see if you can use a drum puller, but I have seen them distort the drum of much force is needed.

 

Heat and beat.

I hit it with penetrating oil, waited a while then heat it and beat it. It will come off. Usually gets stuck on the axel.

 

I will have to find someone with a torch setup as I do not own one

 

I don't use a big torch for this... Just a cheap little propane or map gas torch. Home Depot carries them.

The idea is to just heat the drum enough that the metal will expand a bit and break the bind.

 

Oh, ok I might be able to get one of those

 

Got them off today, I had a wild @$$ idea, so I grabbed one of those disposable fireplace lighters, and I went around the center of the drum near the hub. after about 5 min on each, they came right off. Shoes looked like recent replacements, drums loked to have been turned, even new looking wheel cyls.

 

Nice! I'm glad it worked out.

 

Best news, it had a recent 4 wheel brake job, shoes were like new, as were the wheel cylinders

 

I need to adjust the brakes, which way do I turn the adjusters to bring the shoes a little closer to the drum?

 

1) Remove drum.
2) Turn star wheel and observe which direction moves the shoes away from each other.
3) Turn star wheel back the same number of turns in the other direction.
4) Put the drum back on and adjust your shoes.
5) Repeat on the other side.

Before you ask:
6) Adjust the star wheel until the shoes begin to contact the drum, then back off until they just don't.

 

Ok thanks

I know there is a gauging tool, where you set one end for the inside diameter of the drum, and the other end of the tool you would slide over the shoes

 

I saw one of those once... I found it faster to spread the shoes until I hear them scrape the drum as I turn it, them back them off just a bit.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna do that

 

I checked left rear drum, and I hear just the faintest scrape when I turn it, is that acceptable? If it is, then I will do the other 3 drums the same way