Stuck front brake drum

[HD539]

Getting ready to replace brake shoes but the front (passenger side) brake drum is stuck pretty tight. Any suggestions on how to remove? Already sprayed liquid wrench on it. The others came off with no problem.

Also any recommendations on replacement brake kits?

 

[dryheat]

Try taking out the wheel bearing and removing the entire hub / drum assembly. Once it's off tap on the hub or studs with a hammer to force it off the hub

 

[moparnation74]

Have you tried adjusting the brakes to loosen the shoes?

 

[R413]

Does it turn? If so you need to back off the adjuster. Look at the other side to figure out how this can be done through the access holes.

Does it Not Turn? Drum rusted to shoes? Various ways, none are easy on the drum. Heat with a torch, pound on the outside of the drum. Cut it off with a torch and throw it away, then remove bearings and hub.

Don’t cut off the heads of the hold down springs, that won’t get the drum off, it will bind it on the shoes.

 

[R413]

Hub and drum are swedged together. Need to remove bearings to get drum off.

When a drum is replaced with aftermarket many times the drum will come off the hub without touching the bearings.

 

[HD539]

Does it turn? If so you need to back off the adjuster. Look at the other side to figure out how this can be done through the access holes.

Does it Not Turn? Drum rusted to shoes? Various ways, none are easy on the drum. Heat with a torch, pound on the outside of the drum. Cut it off with a torch and throw it away, then remove bearings and hub.

Don’t cut off the heads of the hold down springs, that won’t get the drum off, it will bind it on the shoes.

It turns easily. I’ll try backing off the adjuster.

 

[MarPar]

Take the cotter pin and nut off...

 

[R413]

Yes see the other side drum on the floor in the picture, remove cotter pin and nut.

 

[MarPar]

Drum on the floor looks a rear

 

[gdrill]

This was my original 1969 road runner front brake drum. Looks to be the same part number too. I don't recall if it was swedged or not. I did have the hubs off to do bearings. I'm thinking due to the red poking through the black paint, that very well could be a factory original drum.

 

[HD539]

Take the cotter pin and nut off...

Came right off once I removed the cotter pin, nut and bearing. Still can’t separate the two pieces so more work to do there.

 

[HD539]

This was my original 1969 road runner front brake drum. Looks to be the same part number too. I don't recall if it was swedged or not. I did have the hubs off to do bearings. I'm thinking due to the red poking through the black paint, that very well could be a factory original drum.

View attachment 719382 View attachment 719383

It could be original, the surface rust, cobwebs and crap makes me think it may be. Goin to clean it up and put new shoes on her. The drums don’t look bad at all.

 

[MarPar]

Came right off once I removed the cotter pin, nut and bearing. Still can’t separate the two pieces so more work to do there.

Which two pieces?

 

[gdrill]

Cars that came with Magnums had a worker literally splash red paint on the drum with a brush. Hence the dribble marks!

 

[HD539]

Which two pieces?

The drum and lugs/hub center piece won’t separate like the others

 

[MarPar]

The drum and lugs/hub center piece won’t separate like the others

If by center piece you mean the part that holds the wheel bearings, it is all part of the drum. The studs will come out, but if they are in good shape, I wouldn't futz with them.

 

[HD539]

If by center piece you mean the part that holds the wheel bearings, it is all part of the drum. The studs will come out, but if they are in good shape, I wouldn't futz with them.

I’m gunna leave it alone. I’m going to clean everything up and replace the shoes, springs and such. Thanks for your help.

 

[gdrill]

Is the drum in good shape? Doesn’t need cut? Within spec? If it needs cut the hub will need to be removed.

 

[dadsbee]

Hub does not need to be separated. It can be put on the drum cutting lathe with the bearings in.

 

[R413]

Came right off once I removed the cotter pin, nut and bearing. Still can’t separate the two pieces so more work to do there.

NO NO! The factory parts are one piece hub and drum, they don’t need to come apart. They can go in the brake lathe as one piece. Its done all the time.