noob question - removing drum cover

[FlatBlackBurb]

k this may sound stupid but im having a hell of a time pulling the cover off of the drum brakes for my 87 burb. the parking brake is off and ive been pulling and pulling on the cover. am i missing something here? last time we had the wheels off my friend pulled it off with no problem.

 

[dremu]

k this may sound stupid but im having a hell of a time pulling the cover off of the drum brakes for my 87 burb. the parking brake is off and ive been pulling and pulling on the cover. am i missing something here? last time we had the wheels off my friend pulled it off with no problem.

Which axle?

Does the drum turn at all, or is it seized? If so, the star adjuster prolly needs to be adjusted in, or soaked in WD40/penetrating oil so that it CAN be adjusted.

If it's a 14BFF, you gotta undo all the nuts inside the hub, and then as above.

-- A

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

Which axle?

Does the drum turn at all, or is it seized? If so, the star adjuster prolly needs to be adjusted in, or soaked in WD40/penetrating oil so that it CAN be adjusted.

If it's a 14BFF, you gotta undo all the nuts inside the hub, and then as above.

-- A

its the rear axle. i successfully got the right rear drum off, and it turns freely when i turn the driveshaft (truck is in neutral). the left rear one barely turns at all. i sprayed all kinds of wd 40 around the edge hoping itll loosen it up. im trying to adjust the brakes because i gotta push the pedal down to the floor almost to get any response. so im just gonna keep pulling on the left one and see if anything happens

 

[dremu]

its the rear axle. i successfully got the right rear drum off, and it turns freely when i turn the driveshaft (truck is in neutral). the left rear one barely turns at all. i sprayed all kinds of wd 40 around the edge hoping itll loosen it up. im trying to adjust the brakes because i gotta push the pedal down to the floor almost to get any response. so im just gonna keep pulling on the left one and see if anything happens

Well, duh it's the rear if it's got drums

I meant what type, i.e. 10/12-bolt or 14, the full floaters are more work to get the drum off.

Anyway, I'm inclined to think that your brakes need more than adjusting, but it's the first step in any event.

Don't spray around the edge, as you'll get the shoes wet, which is bad for them.

There should be a hole in the backing plate at the bottom -- if you have the one side off, you'll see what I mean -- where you can get to the star adjuster with a screwdriver. You may need to pop out a metal cover to get through.

-- A

 

[BKinzey]

Make sure when you turn the adjuster it is loosening up. Tightening will only lock the hub on Sometimes brake dust & rust does kind of lock them on. A couple of raps with a hammer in a couple of places can help vibrate them loose.

 

[dremu]

Make sure when you turn the adjuster it is loosening up. Tightening will only lock the hub on Sometimes brake dust & rust does kind of lock them on. A couple of raps with a hammer in a couple of places can help vibrate them loose.

Yeah, I should clarify that to loosne it you gotta flip the lever on on the front (outside) away from the star ... otherwise, yup, you're expanding the adjuster which'll just press the shoes MORE against the drum.

-- A

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

Well, duh it's the rear if it's got drums

I meant what type, i.e. 10/12-bolt or 14, the full floaters are more work to get the drum off.

Anyway, I'm inclined to think that your brakes need more than adjusting, but it's the first step in any event.

Don't spray around the edge, as you'll get the shoes wet, which is bad for them.

There should be a hole in the backing plate at the bottom -- if you have the one side off, you'll see what I mean -- where you can get to the star adjuster with a screwdriver. You may need to pop out a metal cover to get through.

-- A

yeah i thought it was an odd question. i just wasnt thinking. its a 14b semi float. so you're saying i don't really need to take the cover off at all? the right rear brake linings look alright. my neighbor even stopped by who builds hot rods and said they were o.k. so how am i supposed to know when to stop adjusting the star thing? and im loosening it correct? counter clockwise

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

just to be clear we're talking about this star thing right in the middle of the pic?

 

[dremu]

yeah i thought it was an odd question. i just wasnt thinking. its a 14b semi float. so you're saying i don't really need to take the cover off at all? the right rear brake linings look alright. my neighbor even stopped by who builds hot rods and said they were o.k. so how am i supposed to know when to stop adjusting the star thing? and im loosening it correct? counter clockwise

Yep, pic is the star adjuster.

I turn mine in so that the drum is loose. Loosening is the way you have to pull the tab away from them.

Then turn them so that they expand -- this makes the tab click -- until the drum is almost snug but will still turn. This way as the shoes wear, the allegedly automatically adjusting nature will expand the adjuster, keeping the shoes close to the drum.

The adjustment is said to be eased by (1) keeping the adjust very well lubed and (2) backing up for 20-30 ft and then popping on the brakes now and again. In theory your basic backing out of the driveway would do it, but they are famous for not, in fact, adjusting.

Your problem description sound more to me like a hydraulic problem, anyway, but you gotta check the shoes (and up front, the pads) first.

-- A

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

actually you wanna know what i did? i had to get the truck outta there in a hurry cause it was blocking my garage and my dad needed to get out. i stuck the wheels on and drove it down the street. i put it in reverse and floored it and got it up to speed then i slammed on the brakes as hard as i could. they work so much better now. not perfect, but good enough for me! thanks for the help