%$#%@^ Drums!!!!

2007 SXT 2.0

My rear shoes need to be replaced, so I decided to pull the left-rear drum off and take a look. It was on there tight, so I clicked the star from the rear a few times .. wrong way. So I started going the other way. The drum spun a little better, but wouldn't budge. I kept going, still nothing. Kept going and going and then, the star slipped out of reach. I figured that HAD to be loose enough if the darn thing was moving around in there.

Nope . drum still won't budge. So I hit the lugs with some wd-40, and tapped the outside of the drum with a hammer. NOTHING. It doesn't even wiggle in and out. It spins just fine, but there is NO lateral movement at ALL. I've now soaked this thing in lubricant, beat the living hell out of it, and spun the star so much I can't even get to it, but the drum feels like it's freakin' welded on there!

There doesn't appear to be the old-style nut, with cotter pin thing (there's just a large metal indent in the middle of the drum.

Any help/hints/advice? I'm at my wits end here ...

Thanks in advance,

Rick

No screws on the drum to hold in place? If not, keep banging lol

First question: Is your handbrake released? Also does the handbrake cable to the drum appear to be slacked? If not, try giving it a tug.

Also I wouldn't be surprised the drum's rusted to the lugs or center hub. Did you also soak the center hub with the WD40?

Maybe you could use a flat head punch with a heavy hammer and try striking the drum outwards. Work around the entire drum 'til it pops loose. Also try striking around the drum with light/moderate taps. You might also be able to get a long narrow punch and from the adjusters hole, give it some taps. But I wouldn't be hitting it too hard or you might damage the drums as well.

Other than that, you might want to hit a autoparts store and rent a drum puller.

PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench will do a better job than WD40. Just did the brakes on my sisters 02 Mountaineer and my gf's 99 Escort the other day, PB Blaster and a BIG ASS hammer were my friends :P

Well I just got back from Walmart, and bought another rubber mallet (all my tools were stolen out of my truck a few months back). I was using a hammer and a block of wood.

My dad also suggest putting a torch to it, so I'll try the mallet in the morning, and if that doesn't work, go pick up a torch.

Thanks for all of the replies. I'll get this thing one way or another.

I might help with the overnight soak of the penetrant. Personally I think you'll be fighting it with a rubber mallet. Use a heavy hammer but just don't go for broke with some serious blows. Either use the hammer directly on the drum or with a punch. A wood might soak up too much energy which you'll need to break it free. Also take dawm's advice of the PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench.


Let us know how it goes.

Isn't there a spot on the backing plate with a slab of metal on it? My Neon has that and I had to use the biggest screwdriver I had and pry the $hit out of it and it suddenly popped off. Mine was the same as yours, seemed like there was no way it was coming off. Keep working it all the way around with a BIG screwdriver, it will come off eventually.

ditch that rubber mallet, no wonder youre having problems. Use a big ass hammer, just dont break it.

After 3 more hours of soak/bang on it, soak/bang on it, etc. it finally came loose.

Thanks for the replies folks ...