Exactly. Cast iron doesn't weld very well at all. The iron carbides created by the heat of the weld cause embrittlement of the cast iron. When it cools down, ping, it cracks all over again. Spray it with penetrating oil, heat it up, smack the face and sides with a hammer until it comes loose. Back off the star adjusters first, otherwise you get cocked shoes sticking to the drum and nobody likes that!! Hammer, big hammer. Drums that haven't been removed in a while always require some tools of persuasion and penetrating oil. And get new drums.
Most drums are of compsite construction ie cast braking area and stamped steel mounting area. There are some that are full cast.
I can't imagine it being welded for ANY reason.....Unless some nutcake wanted to hand someone a headache...... I'm with riverview and jesse. 4TTRUK
The only time I've heard of drums being welded on involved tapered axles with wallowed-out keyways or maybe ruined axle threads. Even then it's a halfassed repair. The day will come when you need to do the brakes, so why not do it the right way now? Glad this isn't the OP's problem.
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