Try turning the drum while pulling it if the rust lip is not too large. This assumes they are not rusted to the hubs.

 

One of the brake hold down pins came undone while I was trying to get it free using two bolts on the drum. The thing doesn't turn anymore. The bolts holes on the drum that you typically use is now stripped after trying too many times.

 

Should I just try to drill out the remaining hold down pin, undo the brake cylinder + line?

 

Probably rusted to the hub then also if it doesnt move laterally at all.

 

Iono man. I think I used some shitty parts. The hub is only 3 years old. Same with all the brake components. When I torpedoed it the first time was when I was trying to do the hub and couldn't get the drum off.

Just so we are clear, the shoes won't release from the drum itself. I need to loosen the drum shoes somehow. That's why I want to try it from the little hole in the back. The issue is that the star adjuster turns one way.

 

If you can do it you have to push the lever resting against the star adjuster away while turning the star adjuster.............not easy but doable I believe

 

The adjuster has a pawl and one way tooth design so it ratchets, you need to stick something in there to push the pawl away (thin small screw driver or coat hanger) then turn the adjuster backwards without the pawl catching it.
Given your luck so far I'm thinking maybe you should let a professional tackle brake work? You have a good life insurance policy on your wife?

 

The adjuster has a pawl and one way tooth design so it ratchets, you need to stick something in there to push the pawl away (thin small screw driver or coat hanger) then turn the adjuster backwards without the pawl catching it.
Given your luck so far I'm thinking maybe you should let a professional tackle brake work? You have a good life insurance policy on your wife?

That was like a low key diss.


Anyways I removed the two springs holding the shoes in place from the back by dremeling out the last one. I disconnected the brake cylinder and was able to hammer it out. Strangely the drum shoe closest to the front was worn to nothing already. I'm sure I bent the star adjuster beyond salvage. In other words, I need new everything except the brake cylinder again.

 

The metal bracket keeping the adjuster gear from turning in reverse. You stick one pick to lift the bracket up. Then push the gear in reverse to loosen. The star isn’t designed to go in reverse so you have to force it.

This concept is just like disc brake/drum combo. But disc brake and drum combo was designed to be turned backwards.


If you remember, assembling the drum parts together, you have one of your springs is attached to the metal bracket to put pressure on the star adjuster gear. It’s low tension but it is there to lock the adjuster

 

Odds are you either put something together wrong the first time or you damaged a part you reused. Drum brakes should easily surpass 50,000 miles on modern cars even with the cheapest parts.
Seriously, brakes are a huge safety item. If you're struggling this hard you need to reevaluate if you should be doing this. If something fails and your wife crashes or is injured it's your fault. I hate doing drum brakes personally but I've been doing them for a couple decades, they're still difficult. Disc brakes are almost idiot proof but drums are not.

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you can try putting parking brake on and off to see if they move. Drive in reverse, in an open area and work the brakes a bit. If al that fial, you will need to go into the back and do as suggest. You might want to get a brake shoe spoon.

 

Are you sure your parking brake is working properly?

Old cables can bind up, and not release even though the handle is down. If this is the case the shoes are locked on the drum, and the adjuster won't do anything.

Ask me how I know....

 

Her job was to type legal documents for the local county social services. I call them flat asses. Amazing how one can "manage" someone doing something they have never even attempted to do, then gripe about them not doing something at age 72 who did a lot of stuff no one else could do when they are half that age. Not working for free any more DEAH. Still waiting for my check for the house I built 20 years ago DEAH. She tried to get me to fix the soap dispenser on the kitchen faucets. Puts concentrated soap in it which the pump can not handle. Decides to go to Lowes and Home Depot looking for replacements and spends an hour and a half for nothing. She got a new dishwasher installed and then could not get it working for over a year and 3 months.

 

I don't subscribe to the "Happy Wife, Happy Life" BS!!

 

2nd on the brake cable not allowing the shoes to rest at home position properly, common problem. Causes not only the drum to get stuck but also one shoe to wear out prematurely.

 

Drum brakes do suck. I always use a BFH to whack the outside towards the axle. They always move a little even if deformation. That gets things resettled, then keep whacking and wrestling and pulling until it comes off. Sometimes the adjusters are frozen since no lube was applied at the last cheap repair. Then a small hammer and chisel is needed to fix or break it - either is acceptable.

Did I say BFH? - get one or two. At least a 2 pounder, required tool for drum brakes.

 

Twice my right rear drum has been warped, once for a state inspection and rear brake job. Then again at a state inspection. Just clean the ridge off with a drill and scotchbrite as well as the mating surfaces between the axle flange and the drum. I throw a little black paint on same mating surfaces and can pull my rear drums off with my hands, when I rotate tires, to check condition and clean the ridge off if they give me any grief on removal.

Both times the right rear drum was destroyed with a hammer, worked in the old days but not on that 23 year old Echo.