Thanksfor all the replies.... I have never had this much trouble getting a drum off! I finally got an attitude with the thing, I ended up thinking *** I'm going to have to buy a new drum anyway so just beat the crap out of it! That's what I did, it ended up popping off without being broke or cracked! I will say this if the 8 pound sledge don't work get a bigger hammer! Anyway Thanks again... I knew I could count on the huys on here!

 

, the hard way!!

 

I recently did my 99 2500 and found the advice on hitting the drum face in between the studs to be very helpful. I also used a oxy/acetylene welding torch to heat up the area around the studs and where the drum center slides over the axle. Then I still needed a BFH to pound it off from the back using a dull chisel to make sure I didn't slip off the drum edge.

I like the idea of jacking up the rear end and running in forward then reverse and hitting the brakes. The main reason for the loose lug nuts, though, is to allow the drum movement within the stud holes to break the rust seal--without coming off of course. Personally, I'd put the lug nuts on backwards with the cone side out as finger tight as I could get them. The next time I have a frozen drum like this I'll be sure to try it. Thanks to all for your posts.

 

Wow - I didn't realize the rear brakes on a 2nd gen ever needed replacing...
225K miles on my '98 and drums have never been off.
just been waiting for 'em to start grinding - never happened!

Ate up lots of front rotors & pads, though - thank goodness for AutoZone's lifetime warranties.

No - I never did the TSB for the rear brake proportioning valve on heavily loaded Rams (usually about 10K #)

 

I probably never would have removed my drums except that I wanted to switch the cylinders for the larger GMC style.
Both trucks have over 220k and the only thing besides the cylinder switch that has been done to the rears is to adjust them every oil change.

 

Mine was rusted on around the hub. I just used a big 2 jaw puller. After tighting the puller just hit the end of the puller a couple of times the turn pull a half turn and repeat. Took about 5 mins to git it off.

Rodney