Rear Brake Drums Won't Come Off

[87 HJ60]

I had my HJ60's rear up on jack stands this afternoon. I had wanted to check the condition of the rear brake shoes but I couldn't remove the brake drums. I tried wiggling, pulling and pushing them but they wouldn't budge.
How can I go about to remove the drums?

 

[cruiser_guy]

Back off the adjusters a 1/2 dozen clicks or so and whack them with a big hammer. That usually frees them up but I did have to pull the axle from one side to get the drum off once so they can be REALLY stuck.

I ended up taking the drum and axle to a guy with a press to remove it.

 

[cfdlighthouse]

x2 on the adjusters. access them from the back oval. there may or may not be a rubber dust gromett in the oval back off until you get the drum off. dont forget the big hammer

 

[87 HJ60]

Is there a access hole or cover on the backing plates?
Also which way do the adjusters turn (clockwise or anti-clockwise) to loosen the shoes from the drums?

 

[2mbb]

Yes. First loosen the brake shoes. Second, make sure the phillips retaining screw is removed. There are two threaded holes on the face of the drum you can screw bolts into them that are long enough to push against the backing plate. I use the two holes to bolt on a piece of square pipe that is longer than the diameter of the brake drum. I use it as a handle to increase leverage and help wiggle the drum free.

 

[cfdlighthouse]

Is there a access hole or cover on the backing plates?
Also which way do the adjusters turn (clockwise or anti-clockwise) to loosen the shoes from the drums?

the adjuster oval is at the bottom. i think counter clock wise to loosen on the right and clockwise to loosen on the left. either way yuo can determine by attempting to adjust if it clicks easy in on one direction you are tightening. you will need a second srew driver to push the adjuster lock in to turn the adjuster the other way.

 

[2mbb]

Is there a access hole or cover on the backing plates?
Also which way do the adjusters turn (clockwise or anti-clockwise) to loosen the shoes from the drums?

There is an oval shaped hole in the backing plate. You will need two screwdrivers or lever arms. You need to push the auto adjuster away from the adjusting wheel then turn the adjusting wheel. Each side (left or right) turns a different way to adjust. You need to turn the inboard side of the adjusting wheel down to loosen the shoes.

 

[87 HJ60]

Thanks for the info guys.
Now another question when I put the drums back on how tight should I adjust the shoes to the drum? Should there be some drag or no drag?

 

[cfdlighthouse]

Thanks for the info guys.
Now another question when I put the drums back on how tight should I adjust the shoes to the drum? Should there be some drag or no drag?

you should adjust the shoes so the drum just slides over them. when you back up the first time and hit the brakes the shoes will seat the rest of the way and the reverse/ apply brakes is what keeps them adjusted. if you are not replacing the drums check for that outer ridge that has been left after the shoes have worn the drum for the last 25years. that ridge is most likely whats holding the drums on and if the drum is still in spec and you put them on you will need to do some adjusting manually once the drum is on the bring the shoes closer to the drum. if the ridge is present either have them turned first if possible or replace them

 

[Dave-T]

If you still can't get it off you can buy/rent/borrow a drum puller.

 

[2mbb]

Thanks for the info guys.
Now another question when I put the drums back on how tight should I adjust the shoes to the drum? Should there be some drag or no drag?

I put the drum and tire on the tighten the adjusting wheel until I can't turn the tire by hand. Then I loosen the adjusting wheel about six or seven notches.

On the FJ60, the self-adjusting mechanism works when the hand brake is applied. As far as I know, driving in reverse and applying the brakes does not tighten the brake adjustment.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

Maybe my mad paint skills will help... paint... a picture

oh yea make sure the e-brake is not engauged and that you removed the "set screw" in the drum (often may need an impact driver to loosen it up) after that take your favorite mallet (mine is a 3 lb sledge) and beat away till it comes off (no your not gonna hurt it)


EDIT: just remembered adjuster slot is under axle but same direction of movement is used either way.

 

[baxter650]

If they are not hanging up on the shoes, but are frozen to the axles what i have done in the past is to pull wheels and the philips screws, use a good penatrating oil to soak the area around lugs and axle flange.
Put the wheels back on, then with the E brake on so there is some drag take it around the block and heat them babies up, then get them off quick while there hot.
You don't have to go far, and they don't have to be smoking, just Hot.

 

[cfdlighthouse]

heres some explaination of the reverse self adjusting and in the LC case emergency brake adjusting

 

[cruiser_guy]

The way I always adjust the rear shoes on the '60 is by simply activating the e-brake repeatedly. One the clicking of the adjusters stop I go on to the "back up and apply the e-brake ONLY"until the truck stops and then you're good to go.

After it's adjusted, apply the brake when parked and they stay adjusted and the bell cranks will not freeze up as fast either.

 

[Crash_AB]

Mine were seriously frozen on as well - even after adjusting the star from the back [use 2 screwdrivers, you have to push a tab away from the adjuster in order for it to turn] no size of hammer would coax them off.

There are two small holes in the front of the drum that covered in rust - I tapped them [gently, I think they had threads before, but there was just so much rust in them that the threads wouldn't engage] and put a couple of bolts in them - tightening them up slowly and evenly pulled the drum right off.