sleepr tsi

So, per a thread I started last week, my drums are stuck on. I tried all the tricks, they are going to need to be cut off. I don't have access to a acetylene torch or plasma cutter.

I was thinking of using a cut off wheel to kind of go around the outside of the drum to make two rings, then I could pry off the outer half and remove the break hardware to get the inside half of drum off. Is this a hairbrained idea ?

Maybe someone else has some suggestions?

JPR Ram

Slide hammer, maybe????? A very large one that is.

JKM

If you haven't got the drums off yet , you haven't tried ALL the tricks, Or you don't have a big enough hammer. Try hitting the face of the drum , at the outermost edge of the circumference (the same face that the studs come though , just out at the edge of it) with a REALLY big hammer , and hit it hard.

If that does not work , pull the axle shaft out, take the large nut off ( 2 1/2" socket IIRC) slide the entire hub/drum assembly off of the truck. Once you get the whole unit off the truck , set it on a hard surface ( shop floor , paved driveway , etc) use a block of hardwood to keep the face of the hub from getting damaged, and beat the hub out of the drum, it WILL come apart , you just gotta remember who the boss is ( I use a 16 lb hammer for stubborn stuff like this , it's the biggest I own)

jrs_dodge_diesel

Hate to sound dumb but did you back the star wheel adjuster off yet? And have you tried the put it on jack stands and put it in gear and slam the brakes trick?

Tate

Definitely back off the pads. I had a good groove worn into my drums, so there was a fairly tall lip. Once I backed off the shoes enough, came apart easy as pie.

DL1221

This is the right idea. Put rear axle on jackstands. Take it out of 4 wheel drive (or you'll drive off the jackstands). Put one lugnut back on each side. Start engine and put in reverse, get a little speed, then slam on the brakes. If they still don't come off, the put in drive and repeat. Don't forget the lugnut or the drums will fly off. If this fails, then you really have issues, looks like a torch is the only thing left.

sleepr tsi

I'll try that, I' gotta pick up a 2 1/2" socket now

Tate

It's a 2-9/16" socket. I bought a axle nut socket from Napa that was 2-1/2", need to hammer it on the nut, and it still doesn't work very well. Luckily the nuts aren't all that tight.

the_fox_man4

takes a 10 pound BFH to get the drums loose on mine, and I was whaleing on them.

atthepark

I drilled a series of small holes around the drum at the center hub and soaked it with penetrating oil for a few days and them the hammer did the trick.

Whe you go back together, put anti-seize in the hub plate and around the base of the lugs and you shouldnt have the problem in the future.

Good luck!

pete97

Heat works if they are stuck. I heated the center of the drum with a torch and then hit it with a hammer. The first time I took them off they were rusted on there from the truck sitting and they were rusted on. Heating the center will work.

infidel

Take your rig to Sears or a Walmart auto center and ask them to inspect the brakes.
They'll get them off.

BIGROD

I used a puller. I hooked it on the back edge of the drum and tighten the bolt on the axle cap. When that didn't work I hit the bolt with the big hammer and the drum came right off.

The hard part to this is finding a puller big enough to reach around the drum.

sleepr tsi

That's a darn good idea. I'll take it to the mall on Sun morn. me and the wife can get some breakfast and coffee while some body else does the hard work



Of course, I'll flip him a 20 for the effort , because I believe in karma