Removing a Brake Drum

[HangDiver]

i'm a pretty good DIY but have never pulled drums/bearings etc..... I've seen videos... anything I should be aware of. I have a single axle Micro-Lite 19fd
Thanks in advance..

[HangDiver]

Should have said.... I get a lot of rubbing noise when I spin one of the wheels. I want to pull the drum and have a look. Thanks!

[Iwannacamp]

Nuttin to it but to do it. Use plenty o jack stands/blocks. For stability you can hook up the TV....assuming you have a parts chasing vehicle...sounds like you will need some. Take a picture when you get it apart assuming it's still together or get a good diagram. You will need cardboard/mat and normal hand tools.
Rubbing could be rust on drum as well as shoes out of adjustment. You can do it and will be amazed at how easy it is.

[Bama Rambler]

As Iwannacamp said, Use jackstands and caution.

Be prepared for lots of grease. Even if it isn't on the brakes, there'll be lots in the hub cavity.

The only thing to be careful of is when pulling the spindle nut, that the washer and bearing doesn't fall out on the ground. Just makes a nasty mess if it does.

I place a piece of cardboard under the hub when removing them so that if something does get dropped it's on the cardboard.

[HDU]

Very simple process. Just know that you will get greasy, and try not to get your brake pads greasy. The install process is just the opposite of the removal process. Dragging could be lots of things, bent backing plate, rusty (frozen) parts, brake shoe loose, I even had a brake pad come off of the shoe one time and made the dragging noise. Don't over-grease when you reinstall, and don't over tighten the axle nut as bearings need a small amount of play to work correctly. For me, this job always goes better with a couple of Budweisers nearby

[Dp26]

If the drum is worn, you will have to manually back off the shoes (reverse the adjusters). The wear can create a lip on the drum which the shoes catch.

Also assume the rig will drop off the support, do not put any body parts under it for this job...

And wear a mask, the dust is nasty.

Thanks to the teachings of Mr. Kernberger in 9th grade auto shop so many years ago... a shop teacher with a love for Morris Minor's, and with all his limbs and digits.

[rsdata]

buy at least one can of spray-on brake cleaner... indispensable when cleaning up the drum and brakes with grease on it

[reddiver]

x2 on the brake cleaner. If grease gets on the shoes the brake cleaner will take care of it. Check the inside of the drum for uneven wear. I might be the drum is not round. I suspect the culprit will be the shoes that they were not adjusted properly before you got the rig. Good luck and stay out from under the chassis.

[HangDiver]

All good advice. Thank you everyone!

[Tiggerdad]

If you are not sure how to adjust the bearings, mark the nut so that you will know exactly where it's location was prior to removing. Read/YouTube videos on how to adjust.