Brake Drum: Removal
- Raise vehicle.
- Remove rear tire and wheel assembly.
- Slide brake drum off mounted wheel studs of hub and remove from vehicle. If drum does not come off, further brake clearance can be obtained by backing off brake adjuster screw using following steps:
- Fabricate pawl release tool using a coat hanger or heavy mechanics wire. See Fig 1.
- Remove plug from rear of support plate below wheel cylinder.
- Insert fabricated tool through access hole in support plate, under adjuster, against lever pawl. See Fig 2. The pawl is attached to and pivots from leading shoe.
- When inserting tool through hole, directing tool somewhat forward (toward leading shoe) assures better contact with pawl.
- While pushing on pawl with fabricated tool to disengage it from adjuster star wheel teeth, rotate star wheel downward to back off adjustment using a small screwdriver or brake adjuster tool.
- Once adjuster screw is backed off a sufficient amount, drum should slide off wheel studs.
- Remove tools and reinstall plug in support plate.
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.