How to Remove the Brake Drums on a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

The rear drum brakes on the PT Cruiser provide about 30 percent of the stopping power for the car. Because most of the load goes to the front end during braking, the rear shoes and drums do not wear nearly as fast as the front pads. That does not mean they should be neglected: Remove the drums regularly and inspect the condition of the drums and shoes. Removing the drums requires only the removal of the wheel to access the drums.

Instructions

1

Loosen the rear lug nuts on your PT Cruiser with a lug wrench. Do not remove them completely or the car will become unstable on its wheels.

2

Raise the rear of your PT Cruiser with a jack until the wheels are off the ground. Position a set of jack stands under the rear of the frame and lower the jack until the car is securely sitting on the stands.

3

Remove the lug nuts from the rear wheel studs and pull the tires off the car. Set the tires and lug nuts aside for reuse later.

4

Locate the brake drum retaining clip on the wheel stud. There will be one on each drum if they have never been off the car before. Pry the retaining clip off the wheel stud with a flat screwdriver and discard the clip. Its only use is to hold the drum in place during the manufacturing process.

5

Grasp the drum with your hands and slide the brake drum straight off the wheel studs. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the car if you are removing both drums.