front brake drum problems

mrsbojigger
mrsbojigger Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I know its probably been asked hundreds of times but this is the first time for me to try taking off the FRONT brake drums. How do you take them off my '51 Hudson? I have pressed, pushed, pryed,beat and hammered and said some things under my breath that I shouldnt have said. They appear to be frozen on or is there a trick to getting them off?

Help!!!

Chaz

Comments

  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Back off the brake adjustment.

    Geoff.
  • mrsbojigger
    mrsbojigger Senior Contributor
    51horneta,

    Are you saying that the FRONT drums come off like the rear drums?

    Chaz
  • dwardo99
    dwardo99 Expert Adviser
    I'm assuming that you know you have to remove the cotter pin and the outer bearing. If not, remove the dust cover, take out the cotter pin, and give the drum a little shake sideways to move the bearing out to where you can grab it and remove it. Don't let it get dirty. If the bearing is removed and the drum can turn, the only thing that can be holding it is that the brake shoes have caught in the ridge worn into the drum. As Geoff said, back off on the adjusters some. It can't be anything else. If the drums won't turn, however, the shoes may be frozen to the drum and you will need to apply persuasion.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    OK, if they're stuck that bad, the key is, to take off the large nut, square washer, and lock washer, on the top behind the backing plate. This will release the anchor pin that is preventing the shoes from coming off. Use the 3-jaw puller and the 2 little pins will break, leaving the whole works in your lap.



    Then get on the adjuster with a vise-grip to loosen it, and pry the shoes out.



    Works every time!



    You'll have to put the anchor pin back in and adjust it later but you'll have the stinkin things off.
  • mrsbojigger
    mrsbojigger Senior Contributor
    Thanks guys,

    I'll try it tomorrow. We are having great weather so I want to get in as much work on the car as possible before the bad weather sets in. It was all sunshine and 68 today and will be in low 70's friday and saturday.

    Thanks again,

    Peace

    Chaz
  • Remember that the drum is riveted to the front hub. so the spindle nut must be taken off before trying to remove the drum. 9 times out of 10 you will have to back off the adjuster so go ahead and do that also

    Bob
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Hey Chaz, did ya get em off or not?
  • mrsbojigger
    mrsbojigger Senior Contributor
    Yep! Everything came off as per instructions.

    Its nice to have such a great knowledge base to go to.

    Thanks a lot guys.

    Peace,

    Chaz
This discussion has been closed.