Problems removing rear drum brakes

[etc]

The manual says if the hub does not come off, to remove the rubber plug and adjust the wheel.
However, there is nothing under the rubber plug at all. What I am missing?

This is 02 Camry.

[CharmCityES]

make sure your parking brake is off first of all....ive seen too many people have an issue with this because of the parking brake being on
next, take a plastic mallet and wail away at the drum....it should knock it loose enough to pull styraight off, and it wont damage the drum at all! its the method i use and that i was taught in my toyota technical training

[etc]

Yes, the parking brake is off, and yes, I've banged on the wheel with a rubber hammer long enough to get frustrated. There has to be something else.

What's that rubber plug for, if there is just metal under it?

[CharmCityES]

youre supposed to be able to insert some type of rounded tool like a punch in there and hit it with a hammer to dislodge the drum....ive never had one that a few mallet strokes couldnet take care of...
also, try spraying wd 40 or something around the edges to loosen it up

[etc]

Hm, maybe I should try it. But it's solid steel behind that plug. I was expecting to find something to adjust.

Also, I did spray the entire area with PB Blaster, the ultimate spray for rust stuff. (Ideally should let it soak for a day or two) No luck after 15 mins of waiting however.

Did you see what the Haynes/ Factory Service Manual recommends? I've read and re-read the stupid thing and just don't get it. I think you are supposed to adjust the brake shoes by removing that plug and rotating something there. Yes/no?

[TRD VVTi]

Whoever installed the brake drum didn't align it properly with the hole in the hub. That's why you are seeing the hub through the hole.

Tap the drum with a metal hammer between the lugstuds.

If that doesn't work thread bolts into the drum in the holes provided and evenly tighten them.

[CharmCityES]

i havent heard of that....to adjust the shoes i have to take the drum off and use the star wheel in between the springs and some prescise measurements to make adjustments....thats just me tho

[Rapid Roy]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

Whoever installed the brake drum didn't align it properly with the hole in the hub. That's why you are seeing the hub through the hole.

Tap the drum with a metal hammer between the lugstuds.

If that doesn't work thread bolts into the drum in the holes provided and evenly tighten them.

+1 on threading bolts into the drum. It will pop the drum right off.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

i havent heard of that....to adjust the shoes i have to take the drum off and use the star wheel in between the springs and some prescise measurements to make adjustments....thats just me tho

You don't have to take the drum off. That's what the access hole is for. Of course, if you don't line up the drum properly it can't be used properly.

It really doesn't matter if you adjust it through the hole or by taking the drum off.

I've also never heard of anyone taking precise measurements when adjusting drum brakes. Could you explain this procedure that you use, CorCamrySE?

[toyomoho]

Ditto on the hole in the hub not being aligned with the hole in the drum. As the hub is currently installed you do not have access to this mechanism to retract the shoes.

Ditto on the two bolt holes on the drum face. Find two metric bolts that are of the same thread size and diameter. Insert them into the holes and use them to push against the hub and move the drum away from it.

If you have access to a torch, heat the area around the hub. The drum should pop loose.

If you use the hammer method, place a block of wood against the drum and hit this to deaden the hammer blows.

[etc]

OK, that all makes sense.
What size bolts can I use?

Yes, I can use a torch also, which area do I heat? In middle or around the circumference?

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by etc

OK, that all makes sense.
What size bolts can I use?

Yes, I can use a torch also, which area do I heat? In middle or around the circumference?

Sorry, I can't remember the size.

Don't use a torch at all. You will warp the metal.

You don't need to use wood to insulate the hammer from the drum either. The object isn't to beat the crap out of the drum but break the drum free from corrosion. Hitting the metal between the lugstuds won't hurt anything. The hub is behind the drum in that area. The vibrations will help work the drum free.

[marc780]

Use the bolt holes like they said. If that doesnt work for some reason, try a 3 jawed puller tool