5 Easy Steps to Remove a Brake Drum

5 Easy Steps to Remove a Brake Drum

Eradicating a brake drum generally is a difficult job, however it’s one that may be completed with the appropriate instruments and methods. The brake drum is a important part of the braking system, and it’s chargeable for transferring the drive from the brake pads to the wheels. If the brake drum just isn’t correctly eliminated, it will possibly injury the braking system and result in a lack of braking energy.

Step one in eradicating the brake drum is to take away the wheel. As soon as the wheel is eliminated, you will want to take away the brake caliper and the brake footwear. The brake caliper is the housing that incorporates the brake pads, and the brake footwear are the pads that make contact with the brake drum. As soon as the brake caliper and the brake footwear are eliminated, it is possible for you to to entry the brake drum.

To take away the brake drum, you will want to make use of a brake drum puller. A brake drum puller is a device that’s particularly designed to take away brake drums. The brake drum puller will match over the brake drum, and it’ll use a sequence of bolts to drag the brake drum off of the axle. As soon as the brake drum is eliminated, it is possible for you to to examine it for put on and tear. If the brake drum is worn or broken, it is going to have to be changed.

Security Precautions

Instruments and Gear

Collect all mandatory instruments and tools earlier than starting the duty, together with:

  • Lug wrench
  • Axle stands
  • Wheel chocks
  • Breaker bar
  • Impression wrench (non-compulsory)
  • Brake cleaner
  • Brake gloves
  • Rags

Private Protecting Gear

  • Security glasses: Defend your eyes from flying particles and chemical compounds.
  • Gloves: Put on thick, leather-based gloves to stop cuts and abrasions.
  • Respiratory masks: Use a respirator or mud masks to keep away from inhaling dangerous particles.

Security Procedures

  • Park the automobile on a stage floor and interact the parking brake.
  • Place wheel chocks behind the wheels reverse the one you are engaged on.
  • Loosen the lug nuts however don’t take away them utterly.
  • Use an axle stand to securely assist the automobile and stop it from falling.
  • Gently shake the automobile to make sure it’s secure and won’t roll.

Precautionary Measures

  • Pay attention to the situation of brake fluid strains and elements to keep away from injury.
  • Use solely advisable instruments and torque specs to stop overtightening and injury to the brake system.
  • Get rid of brake fluid and brake mud safely in response to native laws.
Instrument Utilization
Breaker Bar To loosen and tighten lug nuts.
Axle Stands To assist the automobile safely whereas working.
Impression Wrench To rapidly take away and set up lug nuts. (Optionally available)

Collect Mandatory Instruments and Supplies

Earlier than embarking on the duty of eradicating a brake drum, it’s essential to assemble the required instruments and supplies to make sure a easy and hassle-free course of. The next gadgets are important for the profitable completion of this job:

Instruments:

Instrument Description
Lug wrench Used to loosen and take away the lug nuts that maintain the tire in place.
Jack stand Gives a secure and safe assist for the automobile whereas engaged on the brake system.
Brake drum puller A specialised device designed to exert drive to separate the brake drum from the wheel hub.
Pry bar Used to softly pry the brake drum away from the hub whether it is caught.
Hammer Used to softly faucet on the brake drum puller to assist in its removing.

Supplies:

Along with the instruments listed above, the next supplies may additionally be useful:

  • Gloves
  • Eye safety
  • Penetrating oil (to loosen rusted bolts)
  • Brake cleaner
  • Wheel chocks

Loosen the Lug Nuts

Earlier than you begin engaged on the brake drum, it is essential to loosen the lug nuts that maintain the wheel in place. You will want a lug wrench to do that, which is often included together with your automobile’s toolkit.

To loosen the lug nuts, comply with these steps:

  1. Place the lug wrench on the primary lug nut and switch it counterclockwise to loosen it. Don’t take away the lug nut utterly at this level.
  2. Repeat this course of for the remaining lug nuts on the wheel.
  3. As soon as all the lug nuts are free, you should utilize your arms to take away them utterly.

Watch out to not overtighten the lug nuts if you put them again on after servicing the brake drum. Overtightening can injury the lug nuts and make them tough to take away sooner or later.

Utilizing a Energy Instrument to Loosen the Lug Nuts

For those who’re having bother loosening the lug nuts by hand, you should utilize an influence device comparable to an influence wrench. You should definitely use the right socket dimension for the lug nuts and to comply with the producer’s directions for utilizing the facility device.

This is a desk summarizing the alternative ways to loosen lug nuts:

Technique Execs Cons
Hand – No particular instruments required – May be tough if lug nuts are overtightened
Lug wrench – Extra leverage than hand tightening – Can nonetheless be tough if lug nuts are overtightened
Impression wrench – Highly effective and straightforward to make use of – Requires an influence supply and might be costly

Jack Up the Car and Safe

Earlier than you can begin engaged on the brake drum, you must jack up the automobile and safe it. This can stop the automobile from rolling and guarantee you can work safely.

  1. Park the automobile on a flat, secure floor. Interact the parking brake.
  2. Find the jack factors on the automobile. These are normally positioned close to the wheels.
  3. Place a jack stand underneath the jack level. Slowly elevate the automobile till it’s about 6 inches off the bottom.
  4. Safe the automobile with wheel chocks. This can stop the automobile from rolling if you are engaged on it.

Eradicating the Brake Drum

As soon as the automobile is safe, you can begin eradicating the brake drum.

  1. Take away the lug nuts from the wheel.
  2. Pull the wheel off the hub.
  3. Find the brake drum retaining screws. These are normally positioned across the circumference of the brake drum.
  4. Take away the brake drum retaining screws.
  5. Fastidiously pull the brake drum off the hub.

Take away the Wheel

1. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that wants the brake drum eliminated, however do not take away them utterly.

2. Safely raise the automobile utilizing a jack stand.

3. Take away the lug nuts and take the wheel off of the automobile.

Pull Off the Brake Drum

4. Find the 2 adjusting screw holes on the again of the brake backing plate.

5. To loosen the brake footwear, insert a flathead screwdriver into the adjusting screw gap and switch the screw clockwise. Proceed turning the screw till it stops shifting. Repeat this course of for the opposite adjusting screw.

This step might require some drive, so use a screwdriver that’s lengthy sufficient to give you good leverage. If the screws are significantly tough to show, you possibly can attempt spraying them with penetrating oil to loosen them up. Use warning when utilizing penetrating oil, as it may be flammable.

6. As soon as the brake footwear are free, you must be capable of pull the brake drum straight off of the wheel hub.

**Desk: Brake Drum Removing Problem**

Problem Description
Simple The brake drum comes off with out a lot effort.
Medium The brake drum is caught however might be eliminated with some effort.
Onerous The brake drum is caught and requires vital effort or particular instruments to take away.

Loosen the Brake Drum Adjusting Screw

To loosen the brake drum adjusting screw, you will want a flathead screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver into the slot on the screw and switch it counterclockwise. The screw might be tight, so you might want to use some drive. As soon as the screw is loosened, it is possible for you to to take away the brake drum.

Ideas for Loosening the Brake Drum Adjusting Screw

  • If the screw is especially tight, you possibly can attempt utilizing a penetrating lubricant. Apply the lubricant to the screw and let it sit for a couple of minutes earlier than making an attempt to loosen it.
  • Watch out to not injury the screw or the brake drum. In case you are having issue loosening the screw, you might wish to seek the advice of a mechanic.
  • As soon as the screw is loosened, you must be capable of take away the brake drum by pulling it straight off the axle.

Further Info

The brake drum adjusting screw is used to regulate the clearance between the brake footwear and the brake drum. Over time, the brake footwear will put on down, which can improve the clearance. This may result in decreased braking efficiency. By adjusting the screw, you possibly can scale back the clearance and restore braking efficiency.

The next desk supplies the specs for the brake drum adjusting screw:

Rear Brake Drum Adjusting Screw
Dimension: M8 x 1.25
Size: 25 mm
Torque: 10-15 Nm

Take away the Brake Drum Retainer Spring

The brake drum retainer spring is a small, coiled spring that holds the brake drum in place. To take away the spring, you will want a pair of pliers.

To take away the brake drum retainer spring, comply with these steps:

  1. Find the brake drum retainer spring. It’s normally positioned on the again of the brake drum, close to the highest.
  2. Use a pair of pliers to seize the tip of the spring.
  3. Pull the spring straight out of the brake drum.
  4. As soon as the spring is eliminated, you possibly can take away the brake drum.

In case you are having bother eradicating the brake drum retainer spring, you should utilize a screwdriver to pry it out.

Here’s a desk summarizing the steps for eradicating the brake drum retainer spring:

Step Description
1 Find the brake drum retainer spring.
2 Use a pair of pliers to seize the tip of the spring.
3 Pull the spring straight out of the brake drum.
4 As soon as the spring is eliminated, you possibly can take away the brake drum.

Pull Off the Brake Drum

To drag off the brake drum, comply with these steps:

1. Use a brake spoon or a big screwdriver to pry the brake drum off the axle.
2. Faucet the brake drum with a hammer to loosen it.
3. Use a penetrating oil to lubricate the axle and the brake drum.
4. Use a puller to take away the brake drum.
5. Watch out to not injury the brake drum or the axle when eradicating it.
6. Clear the axle and the brake drum earlier than reinstalling the brake drum.
7. Apply a small quantity of anti-seize lubricant to the axle earlier than reinstalling the brake drum.
8. Tighten the lug nuts to the producer’s specs.

Further Particulars for Step 8

* Use a torque wrench to make sure that the lug nuts are tightened to the right torque.
* Tighten the lug nuts in a star sample to evenly distribute the drive.
* Examine the torque of the lug nuts after just a few hundred miles to make sure that they’re nonetheless tight.

| Lug Nut Dimension | Torque (ft-lbs) |
|—|—|
| 1/2 inch | 75-90 |
| 9/16 inch | 100-120 |
| 5/8 inch | 125-150 |

Examine the Brake Elements

As soon as the drum is off, it is time to examine the brake elements. This contains the brake footwear, wheel cylinders, and is derived.

Brake Footwear

The brake footwear are the primary elements that come into contact with the drum to create friction and gradual the automobile down. Examine the brake footwear for any indicators of damage or injury, comparable to:

  • Cracks or breaks
  • Uneven put on
  • Glazing or hardening
  • Contamination with grease or oil

Wheel Cylinders

The wheel cylinders are chargeable for hydraulically activating the brake footwear. Examine the wheel cylinders for any leaks, injury, or corrosion. If any of those points are current, the wheel cylinder will have to be changed.

Brake Springs

The brake springs are used to carry the brake footwear in place and guarantee they make correct contact with the drum. Examine the brake springs for any indicators of harm or put on, comparable to:

  • Damaged or bent springs
  • Weak or fatigued springs
  • Rust or corrosion

Brake Drum

Examine the brake drum for any indicators of scoring, grooving, or extreme put on. Change the brake drum if any of those situations are current.

Situation Motive
Scoring or grooving Attributable to extreme warmth or friction
Extreme put on Attributable to extended use or improper adjustment

Reinstall the Brake Drum

1. Fastidiously information the brake drum again onto the wheel hub.

2. Be certain that the drum is correctly aligned and seated.

3. Tighten the wheel lug nuts by hand as a lot as potential.

4. Use a torque wrench to evenly tighten the lug nuts, following the producer’s specified torque settings.

5. Set up the brake footwear and regulate them in response to the producer’s specs.

6. Bleed the brake system by miserable the brake pedal a number of instances.

7. Examine the brake fluid stage and prime up as mandatory.

8. Take a look at drive the automobile to make sure that the brakes are functioning correctly.

9. Reinstall the wheels and hubcaps or wheel covers.

10. If geared up, join the wheel velocity sensors to the ABS module.

11. Examine and regulate the parking brake.

12. Clear up any instruments and supplies.

13. Double-check all connections and torque settings.

Torque Settings Dimension
120 ft-lbs 1/2-inch lug nuts
150 ft-lbs 9/16-inch lug nuts
185 ft-lbs 5/8-inch lug nuts

How one can Take Off Brake Drum

Taking off brake drum is a comparatively easy job that may be accomplished in just a few steps. This is find out how to do it:

  1. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you are engaged on, however do not take away them utterly.
  2. Jack up the automobile and safe it with jack stands.
  3. Take away the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
  4. Find the brake drum and take away the mud cap.
  5. Use a brake drum puller to take away the brake drum.

As soon as the brake drum is off, you possibly can examine it for put on and tear. If the brake drum is worn or broken, it is going to have to be changed.

Folks additionally ask

How do you take away a brake drum and not using a puller?

If you do not have a brake drum puller, you possibly can attempt utilizing a hammer and chisel to take away the brake drum. Place the chisel on the sting of the brake drum and faucet it with the hammer. The brake drum ought to ultimately come free.

How have you learnt if a brake drum must be changed?

There are just a few indicators {that a} brake drum must be changed. These embody:

  • The brake drum is worn or broken.
  • The brake pedal feels spongy or pulsates.
  • The automobile makes a squealing or grinding noise if you brake.