freasboarder

i parked my truck for the weekend, when i came back to it the rear left tire would not move. i have determined it is a brake problem, but cant even get the drum off. any sugestions?

Crimedog

If you set the parking brake, the cable could be pretty rusty. Try spraying some WD 40 on the cable and tap on it with a hammer. If that doesn't release it you can take a plug out (the bottom one) on the back side of the backing plate and adjust the brakes in as far as they will go. You'll have to use 2 screwdrivers, one to hold the "clicker" up and the other to turn the starwheel. Hopefully that helps!

infidel

If you set the brake after driving though slush and the temps went below freezing the shoe might be frozen to the drum. I've always been able to break them loose by driving in reverse.

freasboarder

it was nothing to do with the ebrake. but the advice with the plug and the starwheel helped. the wheel can now turn but now do i need to do any ajustments to my brakes.
and if i need to take the drum off, is there any tricks, because that thing is stuck! thanks.

Crimedog

I would take the drum off. It is definitely stuck for a reason, it'd be a good idea to figure out what happened. If the wheel turns now but the drum doesn't want to come off you could try the trick of putting the rear on jackstands and take the wheels off and thread a couple of nuts back on and put it in drive and then slam on the brakes. I've heard this busts them loose every time. I've always been able to pound mine off from the back side, but be careful not to get carried away and damage the backing plate! Good Luck

infidel

The jack it up and slam on the brakes method works every time.
It works so well that I don't even attempt to use a hammer anymore.
Try it in forward and reverse, you won't miss the loud pop when it breaks loose.