[53LEDSLED]

i have a 97 f150 and i cant take the drums off, is there some trick to them or what

[astroracer]

Did you set the parking brake?

[53LEDSLED]

no, i even tried prying it

[nosaj122081]

Did you loosen the adjusting pawl (sp?) inside the drum? Gotta do that... I've got one of the "tools" for it, which is esentially a bent outta shape flat screwdriver. Could do it with a screwdriver though more than likely. Theres an access plug on the backing plate below the axle, pop it out and you should see the pawl. If you did that, then my next course of action tends to be a big honkin' sledgehammer. This is how I had to remove my Cougars drums at first.

[66Caprice]

Did you back off the brake shoes with a brake tool? They kinda look like this:

[killerformula]

I posted this same thread once upon a time, and got a bunch of flak for not being able to get them off. The thing most of these folks don't realize, dude, is that we live in a state with some really serious weather and LOTS AND LOTS OF SALT IN THE WINTER. This means your brakes are probably in the same condition as mine were. THe adjustment star in the back of the brakes to pull them away from the drum was rusted completely solid. I don't think most folks could even comprehend that. Worse than that, is that the shoes had worn a groove into the drum (found out after that the shoes were actually not even worn down that bad). Pull all day long, use whatever bar you want, you're not going to get that drum off if that is the case.

I broke the retaining pins on the back of the shoes too, that didn't help either. After taking enough flak for my question I finally took my OWN advice and went to a tool rental shop and rented a 15 ton two jaw puller to get the drum off....

It just barely did the job.

K

[schnitz]

I did the same thing with the drums on my '84 plowtruck as what killer did. 4 hours of hitting (45 minutes just to remove the wheel and tire--and yes, the lugnuts were off-- LOL!) with a 12 lb maul. Spray the snot out of the center with JB 80. It seems to help. Pry, pry, & pry again...

In a while, Chet.

[pmeisel]

Had to use the BFH myself. Drums rusted to hubs.

[53LEDSLED]

sounds like a big pain in the ace. i think ill take it to some brake shop....i never thought i'de say that

[1931 steve]

Originally Posted by 53LEDSLED

sounds like a big pain in the ace. i think ill take it to some brake shop....i never thought i'de say that

Hi 53led I live in Novi and own a repair shop in Northville I know what you are dealing with. If I can help I will (happy to see younger people take an interest in old cars and hot roding) Does the drums move at all? are they stuck to the axle hub?? Let me know if you still need help. Is the picture in your Avatar your car? IF it is VERY COOL

Steve

[53LEDSLED]

the hub moves clockwise and counter clockwise but not in and out.
yes, that is my car

[1931 steve]

Originally Posted by 53LEDSLED

the hub moves clockwise and counter clockwise but not in and out.
yes, that is my car

Does the brake drum(s) move separately from the hub or do they move together? If the truck still is drivable I can help if you drive to Northville.

Very nice car by the way

[poncho62]

Your best bet is to turn the adjusters in, so to back the shoes away from the drum. If they are seized to the axle hub, 1st try penetrating oil and if that doesn't get it, a bit of heat around the hub should.

Don't ever cut the retaining pins from the back, as this causes the shoes to get wedged against the shoe.