mud plus drum brakes

[bear555]

I my rear brakes started acting up since the 4x4 101 a loud thump and jerk from the rear when heavy braking.  I got the one side off with a few whacks, and cleaned it up. The other side will not come off, its fused to the axle.
Any hints on how to get this F#$%ing thing off?
I trying the over night soak with penetrating oil.....

[MrMindless]

that, and more judicious application of steel upon steel.

have you backed off the adjusters? if your drums have some miles on them the shoes will wear a track, and hang up in it.

[fasteddie]

the track really should not be an issue the dirt seems to do a good job of running the shoes down to clear it most of the time. bear either use a big hammer to power it off smacking between the lugs till it pops free and then go from there or if you are lucky there may be two threaded holes in the face of your drum that you can run bolts into to put presser on it while you hit it. if that fails i have a big huge drum puller at work that you could borrow but it ussually breaks all the hardware soooo.....

[bear555]

We\'ll see how I do today. Its not hung on the shoe because the center is the part that is not moving. Maybe its time for me to buy a BFH :)

[fasteddie]

yeah i realized that run in to it a lot at work an air hammer makes quick work of freeing them up too

[fasteddie]

oh and when you put it back on use a very thin coat of anti sieze on the hub

[bear555]

Got it!
I got a screwdriver between the backing plate and the drum put a little pressure on it and hit the fromt of the drum where it meats the hub with a torch.
POP and it comes off easy.  

Both shoes were caked with mud.
Which beggs the question, Should you always inspect/clean your drum brakes after mudding?

[fasteddie]

i do every other time or so but i also adjust them alot cause i like a high pedal and the \"auto\" adjuster just don\'t hack it

[MrMindless]

my auto adjusters backed things off for me whether installed right or backwards, so they\'re long gone.  I should pull mine, but I think I\'ll just tighten them up again.  I\'m way overdue for discs in back anyway.

[ExplorHer4x4]

hear hear!  Come winter ill disc brake 8.8 3.73 SOA swap. easy!  I don\'t trust these drum brakes much after mudding a few times.  adjusters, levers and cables sticking, NOISE!

AND the multifunction parking brake is marginal at best.  Theoretically they never will work well in reverse. No duo-servo there.