Another silly question about rear drum removal

[ajsmolik]

I read another post (further down) re: this same question, but I think my drums are different.

I'll admit it, I'm a novice - so go easy

I've got a 1971 f100 2WD. When I remove the wheel (5 lug nuts) all I see is drum, and 5 studs. Can I pop the drum off with a gear puller? Doesn't seem to want to budge with gentle hammer strikes.

Or... must I disassemble the differential, pull the axle, etc.?

[1968_ONEHUN]

The drum should come right off.What I do in this case is,give it a shot of wd-40,let it sit 10 min. or so.then use a large screwdriver if you have one and place it between the backing plate and the drum,and put some outward pressure on it,then give the drum a few mild wacks with a small hammer.Don't know if this is the right way or not (probobly not),but it works for me. Anyone else ????????

[NM5K]

They can be a pain sometimes if they have been on a long time. Make sure to de-adjust the brakes, to make sure the shoes don't have you up.
Otherwise, they will sink in the groove, and lock the drum in place.
I guess my usual method is to undo the brakes, and then I take a big A$$ hammer, and whack it HARD a couple of times. That usually will break it loose. You really shouldn't have to use a puller, but sometimes ya gotta do what ya have to do...I'd whack the tar out of it a few licks first...Big heavy hammer..MK

[FORDification]

I agree, most people tend to forget that with a worn drum, the shoes have actually worn a groove into the drum, which will hold the drum in place. Always make sure you back the brake shoes off the drum before attempting to remove it.

You should also be careful when prying/hammering on the lip on the backside of the drum...I've broken off chunks of the drum several times by hammering or prying there. Just do a little at a time in several different spots around the drum's perimeter and slowly work it off.

[oldschoolrods]

Make sure there isn't a dust cap with a wheel bearing in it. I know I know but it happened to me and my friend before on his chysler lebaron we beat on them ******** with every hammer we could find and then we noticed...hey theres a dust cap there, popped it off and removed the wheel bearing and they came right off.

[lobuck76]

Usually they will pop off if you hold an even bind on them with a screwdriver on each side . Have someone hit the center (axle) with a shop hammer a few good licks. I used a big 3-jaw puller on a set that was really stuck awhile back. They came off but were too distorted to reuse.