[shepherdlyndell]

Anyone know the best way to take off the brake drums on a 68 el camino without a puller

 

[oldcutlass]

The rears should just slide off. The fronts, you need to take off the spindle nut and remove the hub and drum as a unit.

 

[billdini]

Sometimes you will have to back off the adjuster through the adjuster slot to draw in the shoes away from the drum.

 

[zookpr]

Anyone know the best way to take off the brake drums on a 68 el camino without a puller

If it is not what the other suggested.

For the rear drums, make sure that there in no rust at the ~2" diameter center pilot. Clean and put some penetrating oil on if needed. Later pull on one side and 180 degrees opposite tap with a hammer. Work the pattern around in several orientations. If needed add some more penetrating oil.

Later, at assembly wipe a small amount of wheel bearing grease at the pilot diameter before installing the drum.

edit - fixed a few typos - 180 degrees

 

[B52bombardier1]

I had a lot of trouble getting mine off. Some oil on the center of the axle post to soften the rust helped. Then I had to use a two pound hammer tapping the backside of the drum around the circumference to slowly . . . but surely . . . get them off.

Rick

 

[shepherdlyndell]

If it is not what the other suggested.

For the rear drums, make sure that there in no rust at the ~2" diameter center pilot. Clean and put some penetrating oil on if needed. Later pull on one side and 1080 drees opposite tap with a hammer. Work the pattern around in several orientations. If needed add some more penetrating oil.

Later, at assembly wipe a small amount of wheel bearing grease at the pilot diameter before installing the drum.

Thank you

 

[JJ'65]

As mentioned, it might require backing off the brake adjustments. I never had to do that with my '65.

The rear drum can become stuck on the pilot from dirt, crud, and corrosion. A shade-tree way out of that situation, if the tire's not flat, is loosen the lug nuts/screws a couple of turns or so and do a couple of figure-eights or equivalent maneuvers to give it a little side-load to free it. I Use a little anti-seize on the interface when I re-install the wheel. On the front, I prefer to remove the wheel before I remove the hub and drum. Easier for an old man to handle.

 

[LUVMY68SS]

Yep...a rubber mallet has always worked for me.

 

[Shane 69 Hugger]

Rubber mallet works for me too.

 

[hydro462]

Beat them off and get new drums. They also sell aluminum drums.

 

[Capt Casey]

When all else fails Bigger hammer. longer handle and swing harder... they will come off.
However... Rust is like a temporary weld and depending on the brake shoes wearing pattern they could be so worn they may have worn a groove in the drum and as many have said you will not get them off without backing off the brake adjusting wheel. You may need to pull the sprung tab away from the star wheel using a paper clip wire or something you can hook the tab with... to do this and turn the start wheel with a flat screw driver or brake adjusting tool. the slot can be found either on the front of the drum so you'd need to turn the drum till it lines up with the wheel OR it is on the backing plate Lower portion or the plate. IF it has been punched out...? If so there will be a small rubber plug in the hole...Or not? They do fall out or don't get replaced.

Good luck!

 

[LeoP]

Knock the knock-outs out of the drum(small oval pieces) and back off the shoes, if the self adjusters are in place, you'll need something to either push or pull on adjuster lever, good luck!!

 

[suntreemcanic]

If you have a torch a little heat on that area of the brake drum that is stuck. The heat causes the drum to expand and also breaks up the rust. Be cautious don't get the axle hot, no need to turn anything red.