Need help with brake drums

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Jul 3, 2008 | 09:04 PM

66f-100

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Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 619

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From: Montpelier, VA

Need help with brake drums

So far, nothing has been easy. I am trying to remove the brake drums on a '66 F-100 that has been sitting for 10 years. I towed it home about 5 miles on a dolly and that loosened up the back ones so I didn't have any trouble getting them off. I was able to get one of the front ones off using a brake spoon and loosening the adjuster. The remaining one is a different story. I can't even budge the adjuster with the brake spoon. I shot PB blaster in the hole and everywhere I could get it in around the drum. I was able to rotate the drum with difficulty by using a pry bar between two of the lugs. So it will turn, but not easily. Anyone have any ideas how to get this thing off? I wasn't figuring on the adjuster being stuck. The drum already has some damage to it. Looks like someone fought with it before (half of the outer rim is broken off). Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

Jul 3, 2008 | 09:18 PM

Bill W

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 11,564

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From: Tucson

If you plan to replace all the springs and shoes..... Then just remove the spindle nut and pull the whole thing off, I think the worst thing that could happen is you might bend or brake some of the springs!
I took a copper hammer and taped between the studs on the face of the drum to loosen mine up! maybe that will help

Good Luck!

Jul 3, 2008 | 09:21 PM

iiizman

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 88

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Might be one of these:
The shoes have expanded and wore the inside of the drum so there is a ridge on the inner edge, so you could retract shoes until drum can be removed and when that don't work.
The center hole could be stuck on axle shaft hub, if penetrating oil don't work, clean up hub, maybe apply heat carefully to drum around center hole.
Or drums may have circlips on a few lugs holding them on.
Just remove them.
Mine were a pain too.

Jul 3, 2008 | 11:13 PM

cobraguy

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Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,793

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From: San Diego CA

If you can't get the adjuster unstuck chisel off or drill the heads of the brake shoe hold down pins. They will look like the head of a nail at the 3:00 and 9:00 position on the backing plate. This will allow you to pry the drum out on the bottom. With a prybar pry out the adjuster from between the shoes. If you bend or break something replace it with new. All that stuff is still easy to get at a parts store.