Unfreezing brake drums - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

bremen242 · 07-18-2010, 06:38 PM

Any good tricks to free up the one rear brake drum? I fired up my project truck (cause I wanna get it finished), and the drivers side rear Dana 60 drum is froze. I've tried the hammer and adjusting the adjuster with no luck. I don't wanna do a lot with the axle; I'm planning to swap the axle with a Sterling.

ADIDA4X4 · 07-18-2010, 10:36 PM

Put it in low gear and stomp on it. If that don't work I don't know what will.

'89 pos · 07-19-2010, 12:16 AM

if it's frozen, thaw it out

Ivy Mike · 07-19-2010, 12:37 AM

bigger hammer + heat
disconnect the brake line
cut the drum off

bremen242 · 07-19-2010, 03:40 AM

Pretty much what I thought.

I already romped on it in low range... but it isn't posi, so I broke the other 3 wheels free.

'89 pos · 07-19-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivy Mike

bigger hammer + heat
disconnect the brake line
cut the drum off

Don't listen to this guy. Cut the heads off of the hold down pins, and the shoes will come off with the drum. Really the only way the drum can stay on is if it has a really big lip. If you back the adjuster off enough, the drum will come off. You didn't say why un-adjusting them didn't work. Is the adjuster frozen? More info would make it easier to help you out.

bremen242 · 07-19-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '89 pos

Don't listen to this guy. Cut the heads off of the hold down pins, and the shoes will come off with the drum. Really the only way the drum can stay on is if it has a really big lip. If you back the adjuster off enough, the drum will come off. You didn't say why un-adjusting them didn't work. Is the adjuster frozen? More info would make it easier to help you out.

The adjuster seems to be frozen. I am going give it another try. It is a PITA since it is a Dana 61 (you have to take the spindle off to remove the drum).

'89 pos · 07-19-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bremen242

The adjuster seems to be frozen. I am going give it another try. It is a PITA since it is a Dana 61 (you have to take the spindle off to remove the drum).

is the dana 61 different than other full floaters? Why do you have to take the spindle off?

bremen242 · 07-20-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '89 pos

is the dana 61 different than other full floaters? Why do you have to take the spindle off?

AFAIK, you have to take off the spindles to take the drum off (this is according to my service manual). I've only worked on Sterling FFs and regular SF axles, so I don't really know.

cslimfu · 07-20-2010, 06:23 PM

Are you sure its not the hub you have to remove, like a inboard drum compared to a outboard?

bremen242 · 07-20-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cslimfu

Are you sure its not the hub you have to remove, like a inboard drum compared to a outboard?

yeah, hub, not spindle. duh!

the drums are inboard.

'89 pos · 07-21-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bremen242

yeah, hub, not spindle. duh!

the drums are inboard.

Lilmuddy · 07-21-2010, 06:43 PM

soak the adjuster in LOTS of pb blaster and then try moving the adjuster again. Once its backed off try a 8lb sledge or bigger if you have it to beat the outside of the drum and break it loose. Works for me on 2.5 ton+ brakes that get froze up due to lack of movement by operators. Dang Mday soldiers . . job security anyway. Good luck . . rust sucks

Jeep02Apex · 07-26-2010, 12:43 PM

Bigger hammer. I just had this issue with a 9". I just beat the shit out of the drum until it cracked, then I hit it some more until it came off.

Just get angry, hulk up and work that fawker like it stole money from you.

07-18-2010, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
bremen242 Granite Guru Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28687 Location: GANS Posts: 866	Unfreezing brake drums Any good tricks to free up the one rear brake drum? I fired up my project truck (cause I wanna get it finished), and the drivers side rear Dana 60 drum is froze. I've tried the hammer and adjusting the adjuster with no luck. I don't wanna do a lot with the axle; I'm planning to swap the axle with a Sterling.

07-20-2010, 06:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
cslimfu GREEN BASTARD!!! Join Date: Nov 2008 Member # 123458 Location: amity, oregon Posts: 1,594	Are you sure its not the hub you have to remove, like a inboard drum compared to a outboard? __________________ It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got, and all he's ever going to have.

07-21-2010, 06:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
Lilmuddy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Member # 53584 Location: RC North, Afghanistan Posts: 66	soak the adjuster in LOTS of pb blaster and then try moving the adjuster again. Once its backed off try a 8lb sledge or bigger if you have it to beat the outside of the drum and break it loose. Works for me on 2.5 ton+ brakes that get froze up due to lack of movement by operators. Dang Mday soldiers . . job security anyway. Good luck . . rust sucks __________________ The object of war is not die for your country but make the other bastard die for his! George Patton

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07-18-2010, 10:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
ADIDA4X4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Member # 151003 Location: Tenino, WA Posts: 55	Put it in low gear and stomp on it. If that don't work I don't know what will.

07-19-2010, 12:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
'89 pos Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Member # 125152 Location: mexifornia Posts: 162	if it's frozen, thaw it out

07-19-2010, 12:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ivy Mike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Member # 162217 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 68	bigger hammer + heat disconnect the brake line cut the drum off

07-19-2010, 03:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
bremen242 Granite Guru Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28687 Location: GANS Posts: 866	Pretty much what I thought. I already romped on it in low range... but it isn't posi, so I broke the other 3 wheels free.

07-26-2010, 12:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jeep02Apex Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Member # 159343 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 212	Bigger hammer. I just had this issue with a 9". I just beat the shit out of the drum until it cracked, then I hit it some more until it came off. Just get angry, hulk up and work that fawker like it stole money from you.