[Don Lyon]

Neighbor has asked if I would check brakes for wear / replacement on his 96 Chevy 2500 3/4 ton,2 wheel drive,automatic, big block. Shop quoted him some "hi dollar" price. I am not familiar with the drum removal procedures for the rear brakes. Does the rear end need to be opened up to remove axles? Special tools needed? Don't want to buy a shop manual for this one time use. Any assistance appreciated, thanks.

[BBCMudbogger]

If it is a full flaoting rear you will jack up the rear and remove the bolts that hold the axles in.....pull the axles out to expose the spindle/wheel bearings....remove the retaingin nut (like a front 4x4) you can use a chisel/hammer to tap it loose...pull the drum by removing the wheel bearings...its messy but easy.

[Irelands child]

Assuming it has the full floating rear end and has drum brakes, make sure you have a new pair of gaskets when you reinstall the rear axles. You can't know how much of a mess a few drops of gear lube can make until it splatters all over wheels, tires, bed sides and fender wells. And it stinks.

You can pull an axle, remove the hub retaining nuts and remove the wheel and drum together - but be forewarned, they become REALLY heavy when you put them back . Tried that only once

If they are drum brakes, they are just like any other vehicle with them, just that they are bigger

[burnt olds]

best to pull with drum , wheel and all .
you have one of them car mover dollies ?
you can try a furniture dolly also .
take axle bolts out and catch the gear oil .
with vehicle up and barely any weight on dolly , take the spindle nuts loose and pull entire thing off .
do brake job and replace seal .
then push back on making sure you don't mess seal up .
dually ones are easier .

[Triaged]

I was under the impression that the newer (92'ish-up) 10.5" 14-bolt had drums that slipped on from the outboard side rather then the older ones that were on the inboard side of the hub and held on with the wheel lugs If that is the case it is just like any other rear drum brake job.

FWIW www.autozone.com has repair manuals for many vehicles on their web site.

[Don Lyon]

Many thanks to BBC Mudbogger,Irelands Child, Burntolds and Triage for the advice. Any of you in my neighborhood, stop by for a beverage of your choice.