How to Remove Stuck Brake Drums

Brake drums on the rear wheels of a car can be difficult to remove at times. There can be a number of reasons for the drums to get stuck, mainly due to the expansion of the shoes within the drum. Sometimes it can be fixed just by retracting the shoes, and sometimes some force is needed. Use caution when trying any of these methods, and let an expert handle it if none of these work.

Things You'll Need:

• Blocks
• Screwdrivers
• Two pound hammer and punch
• Brake drum puller

1. Make sure the parking brake is fully released

Make sure the parking brake is fully released; the brake drum cannot be removed without this. Push the parking brake lever down as far as it will go. Block the vehicle's front wheels before releasing the brake and especially before raising the vehicle's rear end to keep it from rolling.

2. Remove the inspection cover hole plug from the backing plate

Remove the inspection cover hole plug from the backing plate, located at the back of the drum. Removing this plug gives you access to the adjuster star wheel and its lever.

3. Insert a screwdriver into the hole to release the lever on the adjuster star wheel

Insert a screwdriver into the hole to release the lever on the adjuster star wheel. While holding back the lever, use another screwdriver to turn the star wheel counter-clockwise until it completely stops. This retracts the brake shoes so the drum should be free to remove.

4. Be sure to remove the retaining screws if the drum will turn

Be sure to remove the retaining screws if the drum will turn but won't come off the wheel studs; these screws usually require a flathead screwdriver. If the drum still won't come off, use a flat end punch to catch the flange on the drum's edge, pointing the punch away from the car's center, and strike the drum with a 2-lb. hammer.

5. Use a brake drum puller

Use a brake drum puller, which basically grabs the drum flange with three claws with a screw that presses on the center. Use the puller's manual screw to tighten it around the drum (don't over-tighten it), and strike the drum with the hammer while rotating the drum with the puller.

Video: How to Remove a STUCK Drum Brake

Helpful comments from this video:

• Hi guys. As my experience goes in 95% of cases it is always break shoes issue. By the time the break shoes create a groove inside the drum break surface and as result they stuck wide open. Also it always leaves a kind of lip as Chris mentioned so it is almost impossible to pull the drum off. Try to adjust the break shoes and if it does not work use just brute force - it will come out. Sometimes there is one or two holes in the drum forehead with thread inside. You can use some old screw screwing in that hole while the screw pushes against the hub and pulling drum of the hub.
• It's about time somebody actually shows how long it takes to do something. I'm tired of seeing people taking things off so easily. They just want to make you feel inferior for not being able do it as quick as they do. You always run into time-consuming things that Don't go right when working on your car. Thanks Chris for showing the real-time it takes to do something. This took all day!