73 Rear Brakes locked up and will not roll

[J74Square]

I bought a donor truck and I can't get the rear tires to roll. The brakes are locked up, the and parking brake cables and lose. There isn't a brake system on the truck, which makes me think they are rusted up and not engaged. I removed the axels(both nuts) and even tried to pull the drums off using a come a long.

Any suggestions on how to get the hubs off so I can get the wheels rolling?

 

[jjester6000]

I bought a donor truck and I can't get the rear tires to roll. The brakes are locked up, the and parking brake cables and lose. There isn't a brake system on the truck, which makes me think they are rusted up and not engaged. I removed the axels(both nuts) and even tried to pull the drums off using a come a long.

Any suggestions on how to get the hubs off so I can get the wheels rolling?

Heat, LOTS OF IT!

 

[idahovette]

Mike ....we have new member of the club

 

[Sad Sack]

May have to cut the heads off the two hold down nails.

 

[fast 99]

should be able to see the adjuster through the slot in backing plate. Using an adjuster spoon and a small straight screwdriver[ to push linkage off the wheel] back off the adjuster. This might allow you to move the shoes to release them from drum. There might also be additional slots in the backing plate for wear inspection. Use a small pry bar and peel or tap shoes off drum. If none of this works usually drums can be pried off breaking or tearing the hold down spring cap. Probably the only part you will reuse is the backing plate so don't bend it excessively.

 

[J74Square]

Mike ....we have new member of the club

Which Club is that? There are so many possibilities.

 

[idahovette]

Spelling club.......AXLE

 

[ali_c20]

Try to loosen the self adjusters and hit the drums with a hammer (not like a mental).
Or break the hold down spring cup. Take care of your backing plate, they are not produced anymore.

 

[J74Square]

Which Club is that? There are so many possibilities.

That's funny. Spelling is not one of my stronger qualities.

 

[J74Square]

should be able to see the adjuster through the slot in backing plate. Using an adjuster spoon and a small straight screwdriver[ to push linkage off the wheel] back off the adjuster. This might allow you to move the shoes to release them from drum. There might also be additional slots in the backing plate for wear inspection. Use a small pry bar and peel or tap shoes off drum. If none of this works usually drums can be pried off breaking or tearing the hold down spring cap. Probably the only part you will reuse is the backing plate so don't bend it excessively.

I will give that try.........

I ran some axle bolts through a chain and tried take come along and pull it off. It would not budge. Is there something else I should be take off after I removed the axle? I took the two big nut off with the socket. Anything else to remove?

 

[Sad Sack]

stuck drum is either rusted to hub or pads are extended and frozen in place embedded in a groove grabbing the drum. Knocking the hold down nails heads off should allow the pads to collapse and using heat, pb blaster...whatever on hub should allow the drum to pop off.

 

[Ricko1966]

You all do know,not all years and models of Chevy trucks had the same rearend. All brake drums do not all come off the same way even on the same year trucks. Model and pictures,including pictures of what has been done to this point would be very helpful. I wasn't going to contribute to this thread just due to lack of information and the guy didn't even bother saying hi. But I couldn't stand it anymore been watching this mess for days.

 

[Dave Kay]

Have this same problem with an '86 3500 that's been in covered storage for (*cringe*) ten years now. When last moved, in 2022, it's left DS rear drum was locked up pretty tight but we still managed to winch it onto a towbed and move the truck to another part of the storage facility. With that said, my plan is to finally retrieve that truck this coming Spring and bring it home on my 20ft car hauler.

The PROBLEM: Truck must be winched onto my car hauler so it has to roll freely. Also previously, did a complete brake job on my 3/4 ton so am familiar with the self-adjusting mechanism on these rear brakes and how to back-off the brake shoes. But as many of you may know, with drum and axle all buttoned up, this adjusting can only be done thru a tiny little slot in the backing plate that so far, I'm damned if I can get two tools inside that slot at once, (one tool to push up the spring-steel self-adjuster--- and another to pry on the adjuster star) so it will back off those rusty old brake shoes stuck against the drum. And no I don't have a hi-lift, I'm lying on the ground under the truck.

NOTE: We're trying NOT to break/mangle stuff here and make more work for myself.

The whole point is--- I broke the tip off a small, cheapo screwdriver last time I tried, half-blind, to pry on that brake-adjuster star, and after scrounging thru all my brake tools and small pry bars, etc., nothing seemed to be small enough--- and strong enough--- to fit inside that tiny slot, and still pry on that brake shoe adjuster star to make brake shoes back off the rusted drum~! (whew~!)

The PLAN: So, armed with lots of PB Blaster, a 4-lb hammer, a six-foot wreaking bar, and a big plastic tub to catch all the debris, we're planning another assault on this rusted frozen brake-drum. So I'm curious if there is any specialty tool that other 3/4-ton or 1-ton Squarebody owners might have used to successfully adjust their 14 bolt rear drum brakes from inside that tiny little slot on the backing plate...? ? ?

Last resort: drain the diff and pull the axle, big mess, big hassle, lots of cursing. This thread isn't too old, so maybe somebody here can help. Thanx in advance.


BTW: Hi Ricko--- et al~!