removing rear drums - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

MCMIXMASTER · 05-19-2006, 06:18 PM

I've been hearing my rear brakes squeal lately... kinda like whats been mentioned in past threads. I tried to take the rear drums off to look at the pads and clean them even though I don't think it will do much, but I couldn't get the rear drums off. I asked a friend cause I thought it should be easy and he said that on his old toyota pickup there was a rubber cap on the inside of the whole assmebly that you had to take out and inside you had to turn something to loosen the brakes in order to get the drums off. Anyone know if this is still the same? Any advice on how to get the drums off and clean the brakes?

TrdTacoma84 · 05-19-2006, 06:23 PM

Mine came off easily when my uncle checked them for me. All i know is he told me to relase the emergency brake. And they came off easily. But i didnt watch him to see how he did. But i know you have the have the emergency brake off.

fireman9170 · 05-19-2006, 06:46 PM

sometimes a dead blow mallet is the trick

81shark · 05-19-2006, 06:59 PM

every drum i have ever dealt with pulls straight off once teh lugs and tire is removed. sometimes a hammer is needed tho

slow231 · 05-20-2006, 12:42 AM

drums should come right off with the ebrake off. if for some chance you can reach the adjustment screw with the drum on then it is possible that someone tightened the screw once the drums were on but that would be fucking retarded and your brakes would be constantly dragging.

ninja727 · 05-20-2006, 12:24 PM

This is my first Toyota, and I have not looked at the rear drums yet, but from experience changing rear brakes on numerous american cars..........I can tell you that this happens fairly often. That self adjuster you mentioned is always adjusting, usually when vehicle travels in reverse. As the pads wear, the adjuster turns and the pads stay right up against drum. Sometimes it's a bitch to get the drum off. First, spray some penetrating oil (WD-40 will work), on the studs, which will help if there is any rust preventing drums from pulling off. Let it sit awhile, and then take a mallet and tap the drum all the way around. If that doesn't work, then yes, you have to get back there and spin the adjuster to loosen the drum. They make special tools to get in there and do that. Every car is different, but the access hole is many times filled with a little rubber plug. Just pop that off and attempt to move gear adjuster with a flat blade screwdriver...........otherwise go to peb boys or some car store and buy the proper tool. I hope this helps. Drum brakes suck! Toyota really cheaped out using this 100 year old technology. Unreal.

MCMIXMASTER · 05-21-2006, 10:51 PM

thanks for the suggestions... I'm in the middle of working 9 days straight plus I have to testify in court on Tuesday but hopefully I can give it another shot before next weekend. I guess I'll use a little more force next time time.

MCMIXMASTER · 06-13-2006, 11:05 AM

So I finally got arround to trying to get the drums off again. On the face of the drum there are several holes, two of which are threaded. I found two bolts and threaded them into the wholes. After a few turns from a ratchet the drums pulled right off. I cleanned out a whole bunch of dust and dirt. I slid the drums back on and then tried to pull them off again thinking they would have slid right off... nope. I guess you have to use the two bolts to get the drums off. Anyway cleaning all that junk out of the brakes was well worth it. I haven't heard a single noise from the brakes in the last 3 days!

PiercedTiger · 06-13-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCMIXMASTER

So I finally got arround to trying to get the drums off again. On the face of the drum there are several holes, two of which are threaded. I found two bolts and threaded them into the wholes. After a few turns from a ratchet the drums pulled right off. I cleanned out a whole bunch of dust and dirt. I slid the drums back on and then tried to pull them off again thinking they would have slid right off... nope. I guess you have to use the two bolts to get the drums off. Anyway cleaning all that junk out of the brakes was well worth it. I haven't heard a single noise from the brakes in the last 3 days!

I did that same trick with my Corolla! Damn drums were rusted on and one of the studs got knocked inside when I was using a hammer to get the wheels off. fucking rust!!

The bolt trick is the easiest way I've seen to get those things off! Especially here in NY where everything rusts together.