Is there a trick to removing the brake drum on the rear of a 1954 Ford F-100? On the front, the drum comes right off, but on the back, there seems to be something that keeps it from coming off. I'm in the process of fixing the parking brake on the truck and the cable that goes to the right rear wheel is loose where it goes into the brake ***embly. I need to see what's broken or unhooked so I can fix it. When I try to pull on the drum, the bottom seems to pull out a little bit (a little less than 1/4", I think) but the top doesn't want to pull out much (less than 1/8"). Is there something I need to do first before I can pull the drum off?
I sounds like the brakes has worn into the drum, if you can adjust your brakes to make them loose. you may be able to get the drums off, or get a bigger hammer lol
Oblong hole in the backing plate behind the drum. Stick a flathead screwdriver in it and it will slip into one of the teeth on the adjusting cam. Twist the screwdriver up or down to move it and loosen or tighten the adjusting cam. Do a google search fro drum brake adjustment and I bet you'll find some pictures.
Back off the adjustment about 20 clicks. Put some penetrant on the hub and rap the snot out of the axle with a big hammer. If it doesnt loosen, hold a br*** hammer on each wheel stud, and whack them in to free up the five holes. Try rapping on the edge of the drum with a hammer. Sometimes, heat around the hub will free it.
Thanks, that did the trick. Brake shoes are totally gone on the left side, not entirely on the right side. The parking brake actuator is broken on the right side, but the one on the left is still there. I'm ***uming the actuator pulls both brake shoes and the adjusting cam towards the front, thus applying pressure from the front brake shoe onto the drum to immobilize the vehicle. The only concern I have after inspecting both sides is a grimy or greasy residue all over the brake parts on the left side and even on the outside surface of the brake drum. Could it be the axle seal leaking? I've had an axle seal go on my 2004 F-150 and I'm ***uming that could be the problem on my 1954 F-100 as well. Was my new truck trying to tell me something about my old truck?...
I think leaky axle seals were pretty common on these trucks. When I took mine off I noticed someone had sealed it with silicone.
If you replace that leaking seal you might as well do the one on the other side too since they's both been there for decades working hard.
My parking brake cable is on its way from upstate New York, got it from Early Ford V-8 Sales in Ballston Spa. Now, I need brake shoes. Should have got them at the same time as the cable, knowing how much trouble I'd encounter. Local auto part store found the part number and price (ES55, about $25), but can't get them from their warehouse. NAPA wants $76 for a "premium" equivalent part and does not carry an "economy" part. Can anyone tell me where I can find those brake shoes in Eastern Ontario?
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