How To Unseize A Rear Brake Drum?

[205Rallee 59]

I've got a locked on rear brake drum, tried driving it to free it, took wheel off and gave the drum some gentle taps with a rubber hammer, still no joy. There must be a simple solution, just don't know what it is!!!

 

 

Help!

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

The bearing may of seized, does it get driven often?

Try taking the handbrake cover off (three cross head screws) and slackening off the hand brake cables (13mm nut). You'll need a deep reach socket for this. Hopefully that will loosen off your drum.

 

If not, it's possible the retaining pin for the shoe has snapped and the shoe has wedged itself against the drum.

Edited February 17, 2012 by Paul_13

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

You will need a bit more urgency than gentle taps with a rubber mallet. More like belting the crap out of it with an 8lb hammer. Undo the big nut first then give it some welly.

If you have one, a hub puller that picks up on a couple of wheel bolt threads, with a lead screw to push against the stub axle, is useful in this situation.

[kyepan 291]

Use a persuader, as Tom says

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Massive hammer, massive pry bars, anything you can do to get it off! Your not going to damage it (within reason)

 

As Tom said though, it will take a lot more abuse than a light tap.

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

I snapped part of the casting of the drum by whacking it so be careful

[205Rallee 59]

Cheers guys, brute force here we come!

[205Rallee 59]

Big hammer didn't work, so removed hub nut and used a puller. Cleaned it all up with brake cleaner and all back together sorted:)

[welshpug 1,658]

did you grind off the lip of crust?

[205Rallee 59]

The drum was virtually zero miles, with no wear or lip, car has just been standing.