Multi rear drums stuck on

'00 Multi ELX with drum rear brakes has failed NCT (Irish MOT) for rear brake imbalance and I suspect the shoes are worn unevenly due to handbrake dragging on one side. I went to check it last night but despite releasing the handbrake cables and putting a lot of force on with a pry bar the drums wouldn't come off. I took off the rubber gromit at the back and can see the handbrake actuation arm inside the hub but can't see a way to release the shoes and get the drum off. HELP!!!!

Cheers,

David.

on the drum its self there are 4 holes for the wheel bolts,also 3 smaller holes which are threaded,use three 10x1.5 mm bolts ,and screw them in evenly making sure there is no hole behind the small holes,you may have to put a wheel bolt in loosely to stop the hub turning as you tighten the bolts with a 17mm spanner or socket..........usualy works for me.......MP

i use a 3 leg puller on stuck drums

Would you believe that there aren't any of these jacking holes on my worthless piece of J**K! I'll give daves suggestion a shot and see if I can't free them.

Cheers,

David.

David,

These drums do not normally come off easily. I took mine off the other week as it failed the MOT. It turned out to be nothing but glazing on the shoes, so I cured that with some sand paper.

When trying to get the drum off it seems like it is never ever going to come off. It took me about 20-30 minutes to finally get the drum off. Start with hammering around the drum to help loosen, then you just have to persevere and gradually prise it off evenly along with plenty more hammering to help it off.

So keep trying, because they do come off.

Jim

too much hammering can bend the drum out of shape

I had a lot of problems getting my drums off despite removing the handbrake - there doesn't seem to be a way to release the auto tensioners.

Anyway when I did get them off I took an angle grinder to the drum edge which should prevent the problem reoccuring - I suggest you do this.

If you really cant get them off as a last resort you could break them with a swift blow with a chisel and fit new drums.