Notes, Warnings, and Hints

DRUM REMOVAL

The drum should just slide off however it will often bind or stick for the following reasons:

Excessive Grooves or Scoring - The interlocking grooves prevent the drum from sliding off.

Uneven Wear - Uneven wear across the surface of the shoe creates a wedge which prevents the drum from sliding off.

Lip or Edge - Commonly there will be a lip worn at the edge of the drum where the shoe to drum contact stops.

NOTE: If both drums are stuck tightly, verify the parking brake is released.

To remove a drum which is stuck you should retract the shoes by backing off the automatic adjuster.

If the drum still will not slide off there may be corrosion between the drum and hub. A few sharp blows from a mallet or hammer along the front flat surface of the drum will usually free the drum.

CAUTION: Prying off a stuck drum with a puller or pry bar can damage the springs or hardware. Always attempt to withdraw the shoes with the automatic adjuster first.

Once the drum is removed a layer of brake dust will remain in the bottom of the drum. This dust should be thoroughly soaked with water or brake cleaner and then removed from the drum.

WARNING: Inhaling brake dust is extremely hazardous to your health.

DRUM INSTALLATION
- Prior to installing the drum verify the automatic adjuster operates properly and that the tools you are intending to use to adjust the brakes will be able to reach the adjuster.

- With the drum off, practice operating the adjuster through the access hole in the backing-plate. This will make adjusting the brakes much easier once the drum is installed.

- Ensure the shoes/linings are centered on the backing-plate (top to bottom and side to side). The drum will be very difficult to slide on if the shoes/linings are not centered.




- If the drum was resurfaced, verify that all metal shavings have been removed.

- If the wheel cylinders were replaced or overhauled, verify that the pistons are fully compressed. Newly installed or rebuilt wheel cylinders may initially stick in the extended position (prior to bleeding the system). Using brake assembly lubricant when overhauling the wheel-cylinder will help prevent this.