Brake drums\adjusters 83 Wag

[J20fan]

I am certain I need new shoes or adjuster/e-brake work so I was going to inspect the system. Cannot pull the drums, I have removed many drums in this condition but these will not move much. They are slightly loose from the hub but will not pull off. I was going to manually back off or pry out the adjusters but the backplate knockouts will not knockout. I have used many different combinations of hammers and punchs/chisels to no avail. What the ???? is up? Do i have to drill these out? Why would the backing plate look like they are punched if it is not? I am ready to take the BFH to the thing and see what gives first!!! My J20 was easy they both bent in like a can pop top.

[andy d]

sounds like the guy on the punch press missed your b/ps. the metal is soft, 2 3/8ths holes should do should do it. after messing with drum brakes fo 35 yrs,i am so glad my cars have 4 wheel discs. i did the drums on my wag. each side took an afternoon (like GMOBX..ME!!). i can do the pads on my bmws in less than an hour an axle.

[Snakeyes_Tx]

You can't get the drums off the studs? Chances are there is a HUGE groove on the mating surface of the pad and the drum causing it to get stuck. If that is the case, the drum is useless anyway.

I had this happen to a 14-bolt rear I worked on once, and I used and AIR CHISEL and it still wouldn't come off!

Solution - Cut the drum in half and take off the two half pieces and replace those (obviously), and pads, and inspect all the springs, pins, adjusters and wheel cylinders.

[Langdon]

The adjuster holes weren't punched out on mine, either...used the Dremel

[J20fan]

Thanks guys, You have confirmed what I suspected. Its time for first the drill then on to the blue wrench if that doesn't help. :D

[reddog]

On my 87 they were stamped but not punched out. Have to drill them. What were they thinking, the self adjustors would work??

Kerry

[Crazy_Jeepman]

If all that don't work, I use a small chisel and chisel off the brake shoe retaining pins off the backside of the backing plate then pry and beat on the drum and shoes, it will come off. I usualy take a beer break before doing the other side. ;)

[J20fan]

Jeepman, Good advise, don't know why it never occured to me. If I can pry the adjuster off one of the shoes and cut the retaining pins there should be plenty of room to get past the ridge in the drum with some gentle (heh heh) tapping with the appropriate tool.

[Snakeyes_Tx]

Chances are with THAT deep of a groove in the drum it can't be turned anyway, take an air chisel to it and crack that drum into a few pieces and pull them off.

[J20fan]

Snakeyes, The drums are toast in my opinion as well, I am just being stubborn and want the part off in one piece at this time. If I crack my knuckles one more time on this job I'm sure the drums will be in many pieces when I am finished venting!!!