GUIDES AND RESTO FEATURES INSIDE:

Expert tips and advice whether you’re looking to buy or restore a classic

Removing a brake drum

Before attempting to remove a brake drum (and assuming you’ve already raised and secured the vehicle(), check it spins freely to help stand a chance of taking it off.

If the brake drum is dragging or sticking, it may prove difficult to remove. First, check the handbrake is definitely off, and if it is, find out if the handbrake cable can be slackened. This may be the cause of the dragging drum.

Some drum brakes are self-adjusting, so there’s no means of backing off the shoes, whereas others have one or two adjusters, accessed through the drum face or the backplate. Shine a torch through any access holes to find them.

Check there are no retaining screws fitted. These can easily get missed and will make it impossible to remove the drum unless they are undone. They may need persuasion to undo.

If the brake drum is free-moving, try to waggle it off. If this proves impossible, use a hammer to hit the face of the drum to help shock and release the brake shoes.

Some drums have a threaded holes machined into the face, whereby a suitable bolt can be fitted to help ease the drum off. Wind a couple of bolts in and be prepared for a loud crack!

If the brake drum still refuses to let go, then you may have to resort to using a couple of pry bars to evenly prise it off. Make sure you don’t bend the backplate or damage the brake shoes.

When the brake drum feels as though it can be removed, the last few inches may prove difficult, especially if there’s a lip around the inner edge of the drum. It may help to push the drum back into position, rotate it and try again.

Cleaning and checking

Spray brake cleaner over the brake shoes, springs and around the backplate to loosen any dust and dirt. Avoid spraying over the rubber boots on the ends of the wheel cylinders.

Use a stiff brush to remove brake dust and dirt from around the brake shoes, on the backplate and over the springs. Apply more brake cleaner if required. If you have an air line and duster, this helps to blow the dirt out.

Use a flatblade screwdriver, scraper or flat file to clean the edges of the friction material on each brake shoe. Check the thickness of the friction material is at least 2 mm and not unevenly worn or scored.

Carefully peel back each rubber boot on the end of each wheel cylinder to look for brake fluid leaks – see the separate panel on leaky wheel cylinders. Push a brake shoe against a wheel cylinder to check the piston inside isn’t seized.

Spray brake cleaner inside the brake drum, then wipe out the dirt and residue with a clean cloth or paper towel. Inspect the condition of the inside of the drum. If it’s excessively worn or scored, replace both drums and all brake shoes.

If there’s a lip around the inner edge of the drum’s outermost section, this will make it difficult to fit and remove. It may be possible to grind down the lip using an abrasive disc or pad.

Lube and refitting

Apply a tiny smear of copper grease between the edge of each brake shoe and where it makes contact with the wheel cylinder.

Prise each brake shoe away from the backplate and apply a little copper grease to the edge of the shoe, but not the friction material.The grease helps them move more freely.

If there are any mechanical adjusters for the shoes (not the self-adjusting type), make sure they move freely, are lightly greased and wound in to help ensure the brake drum can be refitted.

Armed with a pair of long screwdrivers, check the brake shoes are sitting central to the backplate. Make sure there’s an even gap around the edge of each shoe when looking at the backplate.

Refit the brake drum and if wheel bolts are used, refit all of them loosely to make sure the mounting holes are aligned. Refit any retaining screws. If necessary, adjust the shoes until they lock the drum, then back them off.

If the brake drum cannot be fitted, check the handbrake ratchet below the wheel cylinder hasn’t adjusted itself out — this is a common problem on Sierra drums, so flick it back with a screwdriver.