How do I remove rear drums

[swagfocuswagon]

Hey guys!

Welps I blew a wheel cylinder this morning (fluid comming out of the drum) and those stupid drums have the wheel bearing pressed in. So, how would I go about removing the drum? And what would the chance of re-using the drum/wheel bearing be? Im gonna redo the brakes eventually but due to lack of money Im kinda stuck.

Thanks!
Patrick.

[AllCarFan]

you are talking about the actual drum? I cant remember what size nut holds it on, but your local auto parts store carries a wheel nut socket. After that, it the drum several times with a deadblow hammer and work it off with a large flat head screw driver. Its not easy. That will expose the shoes and what not. I am trying to go by memory.

[swagfocuswagon]

I see. Well thanks AllCarFan. Ill go out there and pull them drums off lol

[Geezer]

There's two ways of doing it. Your can remove the large nut (30mm?) from the center of the drum and pull the drum off or you can remove the four smaller nuts on the back side of the backing plate (a couple are more difficult to get at than others due to the location of some suspension components (this way removes the drum and spindle) in one piece. Note that the center nut is torqued to over 170 ft lbs so have a big bar or heavy duty impact gun to do it. Secondly the nut itself should only be removed/re-installed a maximum of two cycles as it loses it's ability to stay tight.

[swagfocuswagon]

Okay Thanks Geezer! If thats the case then Ill probably look into getting new nuts for the drums.

[swagfocuswagon]

Oh my gosh you shoulda seen the wheel bearing grease inside that brake assembally. Holy Crap. Hey, when I go to put in the new drums, what grease should I use?