Brake drum removal

JIMMY SHULTZ

MEMBER
1999 DODGE RAM
5.2L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I need to replace the wheel cylinder on the drivers side, but I cannot get the drum off. Every other vehicle I have done brakes on has an access to loosen the adjuster with the exception of this one. In the place where there should be a removable rubber cap there is a solid piece of metal secured from the inside. I called my local Dodge dealership and their service manager told me to instead use the threaded holes on the front of the drum to push the drum off, yet another feature not included in my truck. The only other option I know of is to cut the heads off of the bolts that hold the shoes in place, but I do not want to damage the adjuster or the parking brake.

Please help

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,859 POSTS

Cutting the heads of those "nails" won't hurt anything else. I just wish I was there because I have hundreds of those nails from unused parts in the spring kits. Many kits come with two or three nails of different lengths because they are used with shoes of various widths. At the mileage you listed, it is prudent to replace the return springs, so you will need the hardware kit anyway, but if you do not want to go that route, you might find some nails from a friendly mechanic, especially one at the dealership. I had box full of them in my tool box for this exact reason.

Here are videos and a guide to help you see how to do the job on similar vehicles, the process is the same.

https://youtu.be/3W0fs6shT3o

and

https://youtu.be/1j7qDoi1LP0

and

https://youtu.be/UV0kfP17Co0

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-rear-brake-shoes-and-drums

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-rear-brake-pads-and-rotors

That metal plate you are referring to sounds like a stamped slot. Those are supposed to be pounded out with a hammer and punch, then you put those rubber plugs in later.