Bored with that persistent squealing or grinding sound emanating out of your car’s wheels? It is probably an indication that your brake drums are in want of consideration. Whereas changing brake drums can look like a frightening process, it is a job that may be tackled with the appropriate instruments, a little bit of persistence, and a methodical method. Step one on this course of includes safely eradicating the brake drum, which homes the brake sneakers and different vital parts. This information will present a complete step-by-step walkthrough, empowering you to confidently take away the brake drum and embark on the required repairs.
Earlier than embarking on the duty of eradicating a brake drum, it is essential to make sure your security and the correct functioning of your car. Park the car on a flat, secure 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 required instruments corresponding to 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 fully at this stage. Subsequent, use a jack to raise the car, offering ample area 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 following 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. This is a extra detailed checklist of what you may want:
- Socket wrench or affect wrench with deep effectively sockets: Required for loosening and tightening lug nuts.
- Jack and jack stands: Used to securely raise the car and preserve it secure whereas working.
- Lug wrench: An alternative choice to 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 software.
- Wheel cylinder retracting software: A specialised software used to retract the wheel cylinder pistons.
- Pry bar: Assists in eradicating the drum whether it is caught.
- Security glasses: Important for safeguarding your eyes from flying particles.
- Gloves: Defend your fingers from grease and dust.
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 secure floor
Be certain that your car is parked on a stage and secure floor. This may forestall the car from rolling and inflicting damage.
2. Interact the parking brake
Interact the parking brake to forestall the car from shifting while you’re engaged on it. That is particularly essential in case you are engaged on a sloping floor.
3. Put on acceptable security gear
Put on acceptable security gear, together with eye safety, gloves, and durable sneakers. This may defend you from any flying particles or sharp edges.
4. Use correct instruments and gear
Use the correct instruments and gear for the job. This may assist you to securely and effectively full the duty.
5. Observe all security directions
Observe all security directions supplied by the car producer or within the service guide. This may 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 collect some primary 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 secure 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 fully. As soon as all of the lug nuts are loosened, fastidiously raise the tire straight up and off the wheelbase.
Accessibility of the Brake Drum
Accessing the brake drum can range 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 normal 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 raise 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. Observe that some brake drums might have a retaining screw or pin that must be eliminated first.
| Automobile Kind | Accessibility |
|---|---|
| Passenger Automobiles | Normally simply accessible after eradicating the wheel |
| Gentle Vans | Might require eradicating the axle or wheel hub |
| Heavy-Obligation Vans | Typically accessed by eradicating the brake backing plate |
Observe: At all times discuss with the car’s particular service guide for exact directions.
Hammering the Brake Drum
In some instances, repeated pulling and twisting is probably not 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.
This 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 metallic 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 needs 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. Ensure it’s angled barely inward in 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 straight. Preserve 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 continues 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. Endurance and Persistence: Hammering the brake drum can take effort and time. Be affected person and protracted, step by step rising 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 unfastened 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 needs to be positioned evenly across the circumference of the drum.
Step 3: Tighten the Puller
Slowly tighten the puller’s heart bolt or screw. As you tighten, the jaws will grip the drum and start to drag it off the axle.
Step 4: Take away the Drum
As soon as the brake drum is unfastened, you possibly can take away it by hand. Gently faucet the drum with a hammer to interrupt it unfastened, 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 injury or put on. If any injury is discovered, it needs to be repaired or changed earlier than reinstalling the drum.
Step 6: Extra Ideas for Utilizing a Puller
Listed below are some further suggestions for utilizing a puller to take away a brake drum:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a big sufficient puller | A puller that’s too small might not have the ability to generate sufficient pressure to take away the drum. |
| Lubricate the puller threads | This may 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 develop the metallic 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 does not come off simply at first. |
Tapping the Brake Drum
To successfully take away the brake drum, tapping is crucial. This 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 often positioned within the heart 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 sneakers.
4. Take away the adjusters:
As soon as the brake sneakers are unfastened, find and take away the adjusters. These are small springs that maintain the shoe in place.
5. Retract the sneakers:
Utilizing a brake spoon or a big flathead screwdriver, retract the brake sneakers. This may create area 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 straight, as it may well trigger injury.
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, attempt 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 extensive sufficient earlier than trying to drag 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 unfastened. 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 needs to be unfastened sufficient to rotate by hand.
Warning: Watch out to not hit the drum too onerous, as this might injury it.
Tip: If the drum continues to be caught, you possibly can attempt 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 attempting to rotate it once more.
Lubricating the Hub
As soon as the drum is unfastened, it is essential to lubricate the hub earlier than reinstalling it. This may 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 should 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. You should definitely 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 will want 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 often positioned 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 fully 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 crucial 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 secure to drive.
10. Inspecting the Brake Drums and Footwear
Instruments and Provides:
- Ground 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 have interaction 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 wear and tear or injury, corresponding to 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 sneakers for any indicators of wear and tear or injury, corresponding to 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 wear and tear or injury.
- If any of the parts 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 sneakers have been inspected, they need to be cleaned with brake cleaner after which reassembled in reverse order.
How one can 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 appropriate instruments. This is a step-by-step information on learn how to do it:
- Security first: Park your automobile on a flat floor and have interaction the parking brake. Chock the wheels to forestall the automobile from rolling.
- Find the brake drum: The brake drum is positioned on the heart of the wheel. It’s a spherical, metallic 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 fully 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 may assist to loosen it from the axle.
- Pull off the brake drum: As soon as the brake drum is unfastened, you possibly can pull it straight off the axle. Whether it is caught, you should use a pry bar to softly pry it free.
- Examine the brake drum and sneakers: As soon as the brake drum is eliminated, you possibly can examine it for any indicators of wear and tear or injury. You must also examine the brake sneakers and substitute them if mandatory.
- Reassemble the brake drum: After you have inspected the brake drum and sneakers, 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 out a puller?
In the event you wouldn’t have a brake drum puller, you should use a pry bar to softly pry the drum free from the axle. Watch out to not injury 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 purpose is that the brake sneakers are worn and have grow to be jammed in opposition to the drum. Different causes embrace 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 might result in an accident.
