Any tips for removing a stubborn drum? I need to check my rear brakes and the dang drum wouldn't budge, even after a couple of minutes of beating it with a hammer.

 

2 pry bars, one on each side and grunt.

 

Place wheel chocks at the front and rear of the front tires.

Jack the rear of the truck up (both sides) and slide jackstands under the rear axle.

Remove both rear tires, thread one lug nut back on each side after the tires are removed.
(this will prevent you from having to chase the drums down the street,
or blow the wheel cylinders trying to stop the wheels from turning if the drums pop off.)

Spray just a touch of your favorite rust buster on the seam of the drum/axle connection.

Start the truck, place in gear, with a little throttle, allow the drums to turn, hit the brake.
Shift to reverse, allow the drums to turn, hit the brake.

This usually loosens even the most stubborn brake drums.

 

What Ed said works.

 

i use a propane torch. they won't get too hot to handel.... in a pinch i have used hot water but it works!

 

a little elbow grease and a large ball peen hammer smack around edges if that doesent work loosen the adjustment

 

when all else fails refer to shovelheads post

 

Yup, it works good.

 

Be warned though, if you use Shovelheads method, put a LUG NUT or two on first. I have seen a few stories here where some guys have forgotten to do so and end up watching a drum roll by the door at a good pace, or it goes rolling into the street behind you.

 

Most of time when I have a drum that is hard to get off is because the adjustment in too tight and will not allow the brake shoes to clear the ridge that has been built up on the outside edge. I find backing off the adjustment helps plus it also allows the drum to wiggle on the studs. I have never heard about running it with no tire and loose lugs but will give that a try if I ever have another one that I cannot get off.

 

That must have been me, and it ain't no story!

 

What are drums???

 

I did the running the axle then hitting the brakes trick. Worked on one side, but the ridge in the drum was to great on the otherside. Backed the shoes off a bit, and came off by hand.

 

This method will break them loose when they get rusted onto the axle.
The wear ridge should be machined off when you true the drums on a lathe.

 

If You have a Dana 80 in your truck there are inspection holes in the back of the backing plate that have rubber plugs in there ,,, Remove rubber plugs and you can inspect the linnings of the shoes,,,, I Know I Know thats WAY to easy and not as much fun as swinging a hammer or jacking the truck up and running in gear and Jamming brakes on,,,

Also when you rotate the tires,use your favorite Rust Buster on there and it makes it easier when you need to get the drums off..