1996 GMC vandura brake drum

Answer 1

Once wheel is removed, you should be able to "walk" the drum off by pulling on the right and left sides. If it feels like its on springs and wants to return to the installed position when pulled on, the shoes have worn into the drum. You will have to back the shoes off first. This is typically done through the hole in the backing plate. There should be a rubber plug about 1 inch by 3/8 inch, in the bottom of the backing plate. This is on the backside were the axle and backing plate are connected. Inside this hole is a "star" adjuster, but it has a tab that will only let it turn one direction, to adjust the brakes up as they wear. (This is done automatically) You will have to use a light , pear through the hole to get an idea of what your dealing with, push back on the tab, and turn the "star" adjuster in the opposite direction it normally travels. In my experience, GM usually puts the adjusting cam (tab) on top of the star wheel, which means you would turn the left hand side clockwise, and the right hand side counter clockwise. (CW and CCW as if you were sitting in drivers seat) If the drum is seized onto the axle, use a drift (punch) and hammer and rap sharply in between the wheel studs, NOT ON THE EDGES OF THE DRUM, and it should loosen Once wheel is removed, you should be able to "walk" the drum off by pulling on the right and left sides. If it feels like its on springs and wants to return to the installed position when pulled on, the shoes have worn into the drum. You will have to back the shoes off first. This is typically done through the hole in the backing plate. There should be a rubber plug about 1 inch by 3/8 inch, in the bottom of the backing plate. This is on the backside were the axle and backing plate are connected. Inside this hole is a "star" adjuster, but it has a tab that will only let it turn one direction, to adjust the brakes up as they wear. (This is done automatically) You will have to use a light , pear through the hole to get an idea of what your dealing with, push back on the tab, and turn the "star" adjuster in the opposite direction it normally travels. In my experience, GM usually puts the adjusting cam (tab) on top of the star wheel, which means you would turn the left hand side clockwise, and the right hand side counter clockwise. (CW and CCW as if you were sitting in drivers seat) If the drum is seized onto the axle, use a drift (punch) and hammer and rap sharply in between the wheel studs, NOT ON THE EDGES OF THE DRUM, and it should loosen