How to Remove the Rear Drum on Vehicles

Vehicles Motor Co. The Vehicles comes standard with front disc brakes, and depending on the model year and trim level, either rear drum or disc brakes. The drum brake design adopted by Vehicles the Vehicles is somewhat different than many other Vehicles. In particular, removal of the drum assembly is more complicated than on many other small cars. Armed with a little knowledge and a little perseverance, the amateur mechanic can remove the drum and perform his own drum brake service.

Under The Hood:

• How to Remove the Rear Drum on a Suzuki Aerio
• How to Remove the Rear Drum From a Nissan Altima
• How to Remove the Rear Drum on a 2002 Ford Focus

 How to Remove the Rear Drum on a Suzuki Aerio

Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels of the car with a lug wrench then raise the rear off the ground with a jack until the tires are off the ground. Position a set of jack stands under the rear axle to support the car, and then lower the jack until the car is resting on the jack stands.

Remove the lug nuts, pull the tires off the car and set the tires aside. Locate the rubber plug in the rear of the brake drum and pull it out with a pair of needle nose pliers. Insert a flat screwdriver into the hole and under the adjuster lock tab inside the drum.

Insert a brake spoon into the access hole where you placed the screwdriver then turn the adjuster up to loosen the brake shoes. Move to the front of the brake drum and locate the Phillips head screws on the face of the drum.

Remove the two screws with an impact driver and hammer. Set the screws aside for now.

Grasp the drum on either side with your hands and pull the drum straight back toward you. Carefully slide it off the hub and wheel studs. Repeat the process for the opposite side of the car.

 How to Remove the Rear Drum From a Nissan Altima

Use lug wrench, 1/2 inch drive and wheel lock to loosen all lug nuts.

Place the hydraulic jack in the rear center jacking point for your vehicle. Close the valve by turning clockwise and raise the vehicle and the rear tires off the ground.

Place jack stands under both sides of the rear of the vehicle at the suspension points. Raise the jack higher if necessary to accommodate the jack stands.

Remove the lug nuts from the rear wheel and put them in the hubcap so they don't get lost.

Locate the slot in the back of the brake drum where the adjustment gear is located. This is usually covered by a rubber stopper that is removed by hand. Set it aside so it can be replaced later.

Engage the adjustment gear with your brake spoon and turn counter-clockwise until the drum is loose and can be pulled free of the brake shoes. If removing both drums use the same process for both sides.

 How to Remove the Rear Drum on a 2002 Ford Focus

Park the vehicle on a firm and level surface. Put automatic transmissions in park and put manual transmissions in first or reverse gear. Do not set the emergency brake. Securely block the front wheels to prevent movement of the car. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheel one full turn and then jack the car up. Place the car securely on an axle stand. Completely remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off.

Remove the four retaining bolts that secure the drum and hub assembly. The bolts are accessed from the rear of the brake, and can be best reached with a socket wrench, swivel adapter and extension. If you do not have a swivel adapter, then remove the retaining bolt that secures the lower end of the strut and swing the strut out of the way to give clear access to the drum assembly retaining bolts. If the vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes, then disconnect the ABS wire by pulling the plug out of the receptacle on the brake backing plate. Pull the drum and hub off the axle spindle. If the drum is difficult to remove, first be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged. Firmly tap the outside shoulder of the drum with a rubber or plastic mallet to loosen the drum. This is the drum-removal procedure as recommended in the Focus shop manual.

An alternative drum-removal procedure is to remove the hub nut that holds the drum to the hub and then pull the drum straight off the hub. To access the hub nut, first pry off the hub nut cap. Be careful not to damage the cap so that it can be reused during reassembly. Use a large socket and breaker bar to remove the hub nut. If the drum is difficult to remove, first be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged. Firmly tap the outside shoulder of the drum with rubber or plastic mallet to loosen the drum.