brake drum adjustment issue...

[alteredraptor]

87 runner... ok some know my screen name now and know ive been having issues, and thanks to everyone here i have been getting things fixed... now, the rear is lifted up with i think are 4 inch blocks... and i want to take off at least one drum to check the status of things, now my trouble is i cant bring the shoes in enough to get the drum off, only cuz i cant get two screw drivers in that little hole... now i tried to use some bolts to loosen the drum up abitand in the process of doin so the shoe retainer pins come off... does anyone here have any kind of help they can offer

 

[KLF]

I think I would disconnect the brake line and unbolt the axle from the housing, pull it out and set it face down on the lug studs, so you can now access the adjusters. Crank them in, hopefully eventually the weight of the drum will get it to drop off.

Before doing so, lower the other end of the axle so the gear lube won't drool out when you pop the shaft out.

Then plan to take off those silly blocks.

 

[black95]

I don't feel so bad about how rusty my truck is now.

I would remove the axles also. Just undo the four retaining bolts and axle, brake, and all will come out of the tube. Go ahead and drain the gear oil--It probably needs to be replaced anyway and nobody likes dealing with spilled gear oil.

By the way, they sell brake hardware kits at your local auto parts store, the kit will include those pins and new washers. They also have a special tool that helps compress the spring and rotate those washers to lock them in. Ask for one.

P.S. those rusty U-bolts scare me.

 

[alteredraptor]

i have plans of getting rid of those blocks and puttin lift springs in its place, so i do have plans for that, after i get the money... the u-bolts are actually relatively new... i live in wisconsin and this state LOVES to use road salt... for that spring tool, i have one of those and i know how to use it... and the hardware kit is something ive looked into already, ive dealt with drums before so i know how much of a pain they are, but never on a toyota... now for the removal of the axle... im guessin its best to use another person, now ive never taken out an axle before, so i dont know... so is it just the four bolts on the back that need to be taken off and the axle will slide right out, or are there other bolts or clips that i dont know of... and i was plannin on changin the gear oil come spring but this works better

 

[KLF]

To get the axle out, all you need to do is disconnect the brake line (10mm flare wrench), then remove those 4 14mm nuts you can see behind the brake backing plate. Give it a quick tug, it will slide out, there is no C-clip on the inside end holding it in. If you're planning to drain the gear lube anyway, do that first. But you'll still get a little dripping, have a rag handy.

 

[alteredraptor]

alright, that sounds pretty easy and straight forward, sounds like i can get that done within a few hours... thanks for the advice and i will post back up when im done sayin how it went

 

[missouriman]

to back off the adjusters.
I use a 10 inch or so skinny flat blade with an end about the size of this / .
then I use a shorty with a standard size blade. about 1/4 inch wide or so, the cheap shorty that comes with the screw driver set to back the wheel off.

use the shorty first, if it clicks you are going the wrong way. up or down.
then keep the shorty against the wheel.

dis locate one shoulder so you can get the long skinny one in there to hold the adjuster lever back, (pushing).

then use the shorty to spin the adjuster, try to do it before you get a cramp in your neck.

also scrape most of the junk off the outer lip of the axle and spray it down with oil. a small wire wheel on a drill will help also.


oh and don't worry, you will remember to wash the truck to help keep some of that crap from falling in your eye's, ear, nose, the next time you have to do a brake job.

 

[alteredraptor]

well... axle was successfully and easily taken out, shoes got adjusted in, drum came off... and everything looks relatively decent, just needed to buy a new hardware kit, so thanks for the advice about pullin the axle, i always thought there was more to it... but everything is good now so thanks again to all the great ppl here at mud