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Rear Brake Drum Removal

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by boopiejones, Sep 24, 2021.

  1. Sep 24, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    I have a leaking wheel cylinder and am trying to remove my rear brake drum. 9” drums. They look to be aftermarket, as they have the three screws that hold the drum to the face of the hub. I removed those screws, but the drum won’t budge.

    Before I go and remove the hub, is that necessary? I know it’s required when the drums are pressed in from the back, but I would think that my drums should come off the front without the need to pull the hub.

    Drum/hub spins freely, so I know they aren’t locked in place by the shoes.


    C2CF14B1-1F83-47D0-8C4B-A870F6B8F01F.jpeg
     
  2. Sep 24, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    "They look to be aftermarket, as they have the three screws that hold the drum to the face of the hub. I removed those screws, but the drum won’t budge."

    Those are not aftermarket drums. The reproductions do not have the feeler gage slot for shoe adjustments. I think you have M38A1 drums. The wheel studs do not appear to be swaged, and should not be, but I have found them that way on a couple of CJ5s.

    Drums are very often difficult to remove, but you shouldn't have to remove the hubs.

    1) Make sure you back off the adjustment eccentrics to loosen the shoes. The shoes may be rusted to the drums, so after backing off the adjusters give the rim of the drums a few whacks with a hammer.
    2) Rap the edge of the drum with a hammer at 10, 2, and 6 o'clock position repeatedly. Don't beat on it, just rap it with the hammer. The object here is to cause a "rocking" motion.
    3) If it doesn't loosen up with 2, squirt some PB Blaster, or Kroil oil, on each stud, and around the joint to the hub. Let that sit a while then try the hammer again.


    Rock around the clock :bananatool:
     
  3. Sep 24, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    Thanks. I tapped the drum with a hammer and they’re definitely not connected to the hubs anymore. but there is a little seal/lip that is preventing the drum from coming off (see video link below). That lip seems to be connected to the hub - I don’t see any sort of seam that will allow me to disconnect it from the hub, even if I pull the hub.

     
  4. Sep 24, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Heating with a regular or propane torch can help a lot too.
     
  5. Sep 24, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Wire brushing the lip down to bare metal might help.
     
  6. Sep 24, 2021
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    Maybe you have--but be sure to back off the brake shoe adjusting screw from the backside (through the slot which should require removing a rubber plug). This is to retract the brake shoes as much as possible. They be hanging up on the lip produced by wear.

    Edit: Not correct for the OP backing plate---see post #13
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2021
  7. Sep 24, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Very likely.
     
  8. Sep 24, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    Got it. Thanks everyone. Just needed to put a lot more muscle into it. Even with the eccentrics backed out, the shoes weren’t fully retracting. 38F95FEF-49F7-432E-A539-BFD793AF49AA.jpeg
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  9. Sep 24, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    Dave,

    What you describe appears to be later self adjusting brakes. These do not have the rubber plug and an adjuster at the bottom, but rather have two eccentrics that push the shoes out for adjustment.
     
  10. Sep 24, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Those wouldn't be self adjusting - unless you mean he has to adjust it himself. And I believe they'd be early, not late.
     
  11. Sep 24, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    My brakes are not self adjusting. There is no slot, no rubber plug, etc.

    The shoes are connected via a small spring at the bottom, which allows the shoes to pivot against a post. That post is riveted in, not adjustable. The only adjustments are the eccentrics - one for each shoe - at approximately 3 and 9 o’clock positions.
     
  12. Sep 24, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    Yes guys, I understand that but if you read what Dave posted, which I quote below, you will see what I am talking about. Underlining is mine.

    "Maybe you have--but be sure to back off the brake shoe adjusting screw from the backside (through the slot which should require removing a rubber plug)."

    There is no slot, nor rubber plug on the brakes the OP posted a picture of, which are Bendix design with two adjusting eccentrics per wheel. They are not "early" such as on MB and CJ2A which were the Lockheed design with four adjustment eccentrics, but they are earlier than self adjusting Bendix.
     
  13. Sep 24, 2021
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    Sorry, in my post #6----I wasn't tuned in to the right year(s) when mentioning an adjusting screw (star wheel) for backing off the brake shoes.
    I now assume from your description you have what is below.

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Sep 24, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    yes that’s exactly what i have. Just finished with the last brake. The brake pedal is very spongy. I may need to rebleed the brakes or do a better job adjusting the eccentrics.
     
    Dave B likes this.
  15. Sep 24, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Now it makes sense. Apologies.
     
  16. Sep 24, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    Rebled the brakes and it made a huge difference. There was a bunch of air in a couple of the lines.

    seems to be stopping as good as before, and they’re not even broken in yet.

    thanks everyone for the quick help!!!
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2021
    Fireball and Andrew Theros like this.
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