Replacement brake drum question

[77crewcab]

I changed out all my brakes over the weekend and one thing I noticed is that the new drums have no notch to knock out to get to the adjuster. So once the brakes are worn, how do I loosen the pads to remove the drum. Is it possible to drill a hole or something to access the adjuster?

 

[AZ79K5Project]

The notch should be through the backing plate, not the drum. There should be a nockout on the backing plate. I wouldn't drill or do anything to the drum itself.

 

[dremu]

As said, the knockout is on the backing plate. Don't remember ever seeing one in a drum ... the drum rotates around, so how would it know to line the hole up with the adjuster?

Anyway, I loathe those *(^#@&(^#$@ adjusters ... I just do 'em tight enough that the drum drags a bit when I put it on, and call it good.

-- A

 

[77crewcab]

Well the old drums I took off had the notchs and the Haynes book shows punching out the hole in the drum. I have no hole present or a place to punch one out on the backing plate either. Maybe I could drill it there?

 

[dremu]

Well the old drums I took off had the notchs and the Haynes book shows punching out the hole in the drum. I have no hole present or a place to punch one out on the backing plate either. Maybe I could drill it there?

Learn something new every day.

I guess you could rotate the drum to line the hole up -- though my experience is that the adjusters seize, not that they're too loose.

You could drill into the backing plate. Or you could use my method -- tighten, wrestle the drum up, still loose, tighten, repeat... buy disc brake conversion for rear =))

-- A

 

[77crewcab]

Well when I removed the drums to do the brake job the parts just fell out. Literally, the PO had been using what was left of the SHOES for brakes. And lets not mention the front rotor with a 1/4 inch gouge from the wear indicators. Seriously any harm anyone can see in drilling the backing plate for access?

 

[dremu]

Well when I removed the drums to do the brake job the parts just fell out. Literally, the PO had been using what was left of the SHOES for brakes. And lets not mention the front rotor with a 1/4 inch gouge from the wear indicators. Seriously any harm anyone can see in drilling the backing plate for access?

Nah, as long as you plan ahead and watch for the parking brake cable, those things are tough. I welded the parking brake cables on one of mine to get the old cables to work with the new plates or vice versa.

-- A

 

[roadnotca]

Well the old drums I took off had the notchs and the Haynes book shows punching out the hole in the drum. I have no hole present or a place to punch one out on the backing plate either. Maybe I could drill it there?

A hole in the drum big enough to make adjustments, may affect wheel balance.

 

[77crewcab]

I think I have found a good spot on the backing plate to make the hole so all is well for now. Thanks.

 

[gmc4cw]

Seriously any harm anyone can see in drilling the backing plate for access?

my rear 14 bolt is out of a 1975 3/4 ton. there was not a hole to adjust the brakes. I drilled one in the backing plate. works great now. I would hate to do it Dremu's way.

 

[dremu]

my rear 14 bolt is out of a 1975 3/4 ton. there was not a hole to adjust the brakes. I drilled one in the backing plate. works great now. I would hate to do it Dremu's way.

What's wrong with installing discs?

-- A

 

[gmc4cw]

What's wrong with installing discs?

-- A

I meant the install, remove, adjust, install, remove, adjust......method. I have everything to install the disc's except the hoses. just can't seem to get motivated since the truck stops now.