Bored with that persistent squealing or grinding sound emanating out of your car’s wheels? It is possible an indication that your brake drums are in want of consideration. Whereas changing brake drums can seem to be a frightening process, it is a job that may be tackled with the correct instruments, a little bit of endurance, and a methodical method. Step one on this course of entails safely eradicating the brake drum, which homes the brake footwear and different essential elements. This information will present a complete step-by-step walkthrough, empowering you to confidently take away the brake drum and embark on the mandatory repairs.
Earlier than embarking on the duty of eradicating a brake drum, it is essential to make sure your security and the right functioning of your car. Park the car on a flat, steady floor, interact the parking brake to forestall it from rolling, and chock the wheels reverse the brake drum you may be engaged on for added stability. Moreover, collect the mandatory instruments resembling a lug wrench, socket wrench, screwdriver, hammer, and a brake drum puller. With these preparations in place, you possibly can proceed with the removing course of with confidence.
To provoke the brake drum removing course of, find the lug nuts on the wheel hooked up to the brake drum you may be servicing. Utilizing the lug wrench, fastidiously loosen the lug nuts however don’t take away them utterly at this stage. Subsequent, use a jack to raise the car, offering ample house to work beneath. As soon as the car is securely lifted, take away the lug nuts by hand and detach the wheel from the hub. With the wheel eliminated, you may have clear entry to the brake drum. Proceed to the subsequent step, the place we’ll delve into the intricacies of detaching the brake drum from the hub.
Instruments Required
Eradicating a brake drum requires a number of specialised instruments. Here is a extra detailed listing of what you may want:
- Socket wrench or affect wrench with deep nicely sockets: Required for loosening and tightening lug nuts.
- Jack and jack stands: Used to securely carry the car and maintain it steady whereas working.
- Lug wrench: A substitute for a socket wrench, used to loosen and tighten lug nuts.
- Hammer: Important for loosening caught drum if wanted.
- Punch or axe: Used to information the wheel cylinder retracting instrument.
- Wheel cylinder retracting instrument: A specialised instrument used to retract the wheel cylinder pistons.
- Pry bar: Assists in eradicating the drum whether it is caught.
- Security glasses: Important for shielding your eyes from flying particles.
- Gloves: Defend your arms from grease and grime.
Security Precautions
Earlier than you start working in your car, take the next security precautions to make sure your security and forestall any accidents from occurring:
1. Park your car on a stage and steady floor
Be sure that your car is parked on a stage and steady floor. This can forestall the car from rolling and inflicting harm.
2. Interact the parking brake
Interact the parking brake to forestall the car from shifting if you are engaged on it. That is particularly vital if you’re engaged on a sloping floor.
3. Put on acceptable security gear
Put on acceptable security gear, together with eye safety, gloves, and durable footwear. This can defend you from any flying particles or sharp edges.
4. Use correct instruments and gear
Use the right instruments and gear for the job. This can enable you to to securely and effectively full the duty.
5. Observe all security directions
Observe all security directions offered by the car producer or within the service handbook. This can assist to forestall accidents and accidents.
| Security Precaution | Description |
|---|---|
| Park on a stage floor | Prevents the car from rolling |
| Interact parking brake | Prevents the car from shifting |
| Put on security gear | Protects from particles and sharp edges |
| Use correct instruments | Ensures security and effectivity |
| Observe security directions | Prevents accidents and accidents |
Eradicating the Wheel
First, you may want to assemble some fundamental instruments: a jack, jack stands, a lug wrench, and a socket wrench.
Place the jack subsequent to the tire you wish to take away and lift the automobile till there’s about 6 inches of clearance between the bottom and the tire.
Place the jack stands beneath the automobile’s body, one on both sides of the tire you are eradicating. Slowly decrease the automobile onto the jack stands. That is to make sure the automobile is steady and safe when you’re engaged on it.
Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the tire, however do not take away them utterly. As soon as all of the lug nuts are loosened, fastidiously carry the tire straight up and off the wheelbase.
Accessibility of the Brake Drum
Accessing the brake drum can differ relying on the car. In some instances, it might be simply accessible by eradicating the hubcap and loosening the lug nuts, whereas in others it might require extra intensive disassembly.
Eradicating the Brake Drum
To take away the brake drum, comply with these common steps:
- Security Precautions: Park the car on a stage floor, interact the parking brake, and chock the wheels reverse the brake drum you may be engaged on.
- Take away the Wheel: Take away the hubcap or wheel cowl, then loosen the lug nuts utilizing a lug wrench. Rigorously carry the wheel off the axle.
- Disconnect the Brake Line: Find the brake line connecting to the wheel cylinder and use a wrench to disconnect it. Be ready for some brake fluid to leak out.
- Take away the Brake Drum: Use a penetrating lubricant to spray across the outer fringe of the brake drum’s mating floor with the axle. Then, use a big hammer or mallet to fastidiously faucet the brake drum off the axle. Notice that some brake drums could have a retaining screw or pin that must be eliminated first.
| Car Sort | Accessibility |
|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicles | Normally simply accessible after eradicating the wheel |
| Gentle Vans | Might require eradicating the axle or wheel hub |
| Heavy-Responsibility Vans | Usually accessed by eradicating the brake backing plate |
Notice: At all times confer with the car’s particular service handbook for exact directions.
Hammering the Brake Drum
In some instances, repeated pulling and twisting will not be sufficient to loosen the brake drum. In such conditions, a hammer and a blunt chisel or punch can be utilized to fastidiously faucet the brake drum off the axle. This methodology requires precision and warning to keep away from damaging the drum or axle.
Here is a step-by-step information on hammering the brake drum:
1. Security First: Put on security glasses and gloves to guard your self from steel shards or flying particles.
2. Select the Proper Instruments: Use a hammer that’s heavy sufficient to ship a forceful blow with out damaging the drum. A blunt chisel or punch ought to be used to unfold the affect pressure evenly.
3. Find the Lug Bolt Holes: Brake drums usually have a number of lug bolt holes round their circumference. These holes can function entry factors for hammering.
4. Place the Chisel/Punch: Place the tip of the chisel or punch inside one of many lug bolt holes. Be certain that it’s angled barely inward in the direction of the axle.
5. Mild Tapping: Faucet the chisel or punch gently with the hammer. Keep away from utilizing extreme pressure or hitting the axle immediately. Maintain adjusting the chisel’s place and tapping across the circumference of the brake drum till it begins to loosen.
6. Use Penetrating Oil: If the drum remains to be not coming off, apply a penetrating oil or lubricant to the hub or contact factors between the drum and axle. Enable it to soak for a couple of minutes earlier than trying to hammer it once more.
7. Persistence and Persistence: Hammering the brake drum can take effort and time. Be affected person and protracted, step by step growing the pressure of your faucets as wanted.
Utilizing a Puller
Step 1: Put together the Drum
Earlier than utilizing a puller, make sure that the brake drum is free on the axle. You are able to do this by making use of penetrating oil to the hub and letting it sit for a couple of minutes to loosen any rust or corrosion.
Step 2: Connect the Puller
Place the puller jaws behind the brake drum. The jaws ought to be positioned evenly across the circumference of the drum.
Step 3: Tighten the Puller
Slowly tighten the puller’s middle bolt or screw. As you tighten, the jaws will grip the drum and start to tug it off the axle.
Step 4: Take away the Drum
As soon as the brake drum is free, you possibly can take away it by hand. Gently faucet the drum with a hammer to interrupt it free, then slide it off the axle.
Step 5: Examine the Hub and Drum
After eradicating the brake drum, examine the hub and the interior floor of the drum for any harm or put on. If any harm is discovered, it ought to be repaired or changed earlier than reinstalling the drum.
Step 6: Further Ideas for Utilizing a Puller
Listed below are some extra suggestions for utilizing a puller to take away a brake drum:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a big sufficient puller | A puller that’s too small could not be capable of generate sufficient pressure to take away the drum. |
| Lubricate the puller threads | This can assist forestall the threads from binding and make it simpler to tighten the puller. |
| Apply warmth to the hub | If the drum is especially cussed, making use of warmth to the hub with a torch will assist increase the steel and make it simpler to take away. |
| Use a penetrating oil | If rust or corrosion is stopping the drum from coming off, apply penetrating oil to the hub and let it sit for a number of hours earlier than trying to take away the drum. |
| Be affected person | Eradicating a brake drum can typically take some effort and time. Do not be discouraged if it would not come off simply at first. |
Tapping the Brake Drum
To successfully take away the brake drum, tapping is crucial. Here is an in depth information for this course of:
1. Place the wheel:
Place the wheel on the bottom and make sure that the car’s parking brake is engaged.
2. Find the brake drum cap:
The cap is normally positioned within the middle of the brake drum. Use a flat-head screwdriver to fastidiously pry it off.
3. Loosen the brake adjuster:
Discover the brake adjuster, which resembles a screw or deal with. Flip it counterclockwise to loosen the brake footwear.
4. Take away the adjusters:
As soon as the brake footwear are free, find and take away the adjusters. These are small springs that maintain the shoe in place.
5. Retract the footwear:
Utilizing a brake spoon or a big flathead screwdriver, retract the brake footwear. This can create house to take away the drum.
6. Faucet the drum round its circumference:
Utilizing a mallet or a rubber hammer, gently faucet across the circumference of the brake drum. Keep away from hitting the drum immediately, as it could actually trigger harm.
7. Faucet the drum repeatedly:
Proceed tapping the drum evenly till it loosens from the axle. Be affected person as it might require a number of faucets. If the drum stays caught, strive penetrating oil and let it sit for a couple of minutes earlier than tapping once more. Use a flashlight to examine the hole between the drum and the axle to make sure it is broad sufficient earlier than trying to tug the drum off.
Rotating the Brake Drum
Step 8: Utilizing a Hammer and Punch to Break the Drum Free (Non-obligatory)
In the event you’re having bother rotating the drum by hand, you might want to make use of a hammer and punch to interrupt it free. To do that, comply with these steps:
- Find the 2 small holes on the again of the brake drum.
- Insert a punch into one of many holes and faucet it gently with a hammer.
- Repeat this course of with the opposite gap.
- As soon as you have tapped each holes, the drum ought to be free sufficient to rotate by hand.
Warning: Watch out to not hit the drum too laborious, as this might harm it.
Tip: If the drum remains to be caught, you possibly can strive utilizing a penetrating oil to loosen it up. Spray the oil into the holes and across the fringe of the drum, then let it sit for a couple of minutes earlier than making an attempt to rotate it once more.
Lubricating the Hub
As soon as the drum is free, it is vital to lubricate the hub earlier than reinstalling it. This can assist to forestall the drum from seizing up sooner or later.
To lubricate the hub, apply a small quantity of grease to the floor of the hub. You need to use a brush or a rag to use the grease.
Putting in the Brake
As soon as the hub is lubricated, you possibly can set up the brake drum. To do that, merely slide the drum onto the hub and tighten the lug nuts. Be sure you tighten the lug nuts evenly to keep away from warping the drum.
Eradicating the Brake Drum Bolts
To take away the brake drum bolts, you have to a socket wrench and the proper measurement socket.
| Bolt measurement | Socket measurement |
|---|---|
| 10mm | 12mm |
| 12mm | 14mm |
| 14mm | 16mm |
1. Find the brake drum bolts. They’re normally situated on the again of the brake drum, behind the wheel.
2. Place the socket wrench over the bolt and switch it counterclockwise to loosen it.
3. Proceed turning the bolt till it’s utterly eliminated.
4. Repeat steps 2 and three for the remaining bolts.
5. As soon as all the bolts have been eliminated, you possibly can pull the brake drum off of the wheel.
Inspecting the Brake System
Inspecting the brake system is a vital a part of sustaining any car. By following these steps, you possibly can assist make sure that your brakes are in good working situation and that your car is protected to drive.
10. Inspecting the Brake Drums and Footwear
Instruments and Provides:
- Flooring jack
- Jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Drum brake puller
- Brake cleaner
- Brake drum gauge
- Brake shoe gauge
Steps:
- Place the car on a stage floor and interact the parking brake.
- Use the ground jack to lift the car after which assist it with jack stands.
- Take away the lug nuts and wheel for the brake drum to be inspected.
- Use the drum brake puller to connect to the brake drum and take away it from the wheel meeting.
- Examine the brake drum for any indicators of damage or harm, resembling scoring, cracks, or uneven put on.
- Measure the brake drum thickness utilizing a brake drum gauge to make sure it meets the minimal thickness specified by the producer.
- Examine the brake footwear for any indicators of damage or harm, resembling cracks, chips, or uneven put on.
- Measure the brake shoe thickness utilizing a brake shoe gauge to make sure that it meets the minimal thickness specified by the producer.
- Examine the brake springs and {hardware} for any indicators of damage or harm.
- If any of the elements are discovered to be worn or broken, they need to get replaced earlier than reassembling the brake drum.
As soon as the brake drums and footwear have been inspected, they need to be cleaned with brake cleaner after which reassembled in reverse order.
The way to Take Off Brake Drum
Taking off a brake drum is a comparatively easy process that may be accomplished in a couple of minutes with the correct instruments. Here is a step-by-step information on the right way to do it:
- Security first: Park your automobile on a flat floor and interact the parking brake. Chock the wheels to forestall the automobile from rolling.
- Find the brake drum: The brake drum is situated on the middle of the wheel. It’s a spherical, steel half that’s hooked up to the axle.
- Take away the lug nuts: Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts which can be holding the brake drum in place. Don’t take away them utterly but.
- Faucet the brake drum: Use a rubber mallet or a hammer with a soft-faced attachment to softly faucet the brake drum across the circumference. This can assist to loosen it from the axle.
- Pull off the brake drum: As soon as the brake drum is free, you possibly can pull it straight off the axle. Whether it is caught, you need to use a pry bar to softly pry it free.
- Examine the brake drum and footwear: As soon as the brake drum is eliminated, you possibly can examine it for any indicators of damage or harm. You also needs to examine the brake footwear and change them if needed.
- Reassemble the brake drum: Upon getting inspected the brake drum and footwear, you possibly can reassemble the drum. Begin by aligning the brake drum with the axle after which slide it into place. Tighten the lug nuts till they’re comfortable.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do you take away a brake drum with no puller?
In the event you shouldn’t have a brake drum puller, you need to use a pry bar to softly pry the drum free from the axle. Watch out to not harm the brake drum or the axle.
Why is my brake drum caught?
There are a number of the explanation why a brake drum could also be caught. The commonest motive is that the brake footwear are worn and have develop into jammed in opposition to the drum. Different causes embody rust or corrosion on the axle or the brake drum.
Can I drive with a caught brake drum?
It isn’t advisable to drive with a caught brake drum. A caught brake drum may cause the wheel to lock up, which may result in an accident.
