How to Remove a 1976 Chevy Truck Rear Drum

Although 1976 Chevy trucks were available with optional front disk brakes, only drum brakes were available on the rear. When the truck's brake pedal is depressed, two brake shoes expand from the brake assembly into a brake drum. This friction slows the truck down. Brake drums are subject to tremendous pressure and temperature, which slowly diminishes their effectiveness. In some cases, the drum can be repaired, a process know as "turning." However, a badly damaged drum must be replaced. The first step in either process is to remove the existing drum.

Instructions

1

Park the truck on a flat surface to prevent it from rolling when the back of the truck is raised.

2

Pry the hub cap off of the center of the wheel with the flattened end of a lug-nut wrench.

3

Loosen each of the lug nuts that secure the wheel to the brake assembly with a lug-nut wrench.

4

Raise the rear of the truck with a floor jack.

5

Support the truck's weight on a pair of firmly supported jack stands.

6

Remove the loosened lug nuts and pull the wheel and tire assembly off of the truck.

7

Disengage the parking brake.

8

Remove the three tinnerman nuts from the wheel studs with a pair of pliers.

9

Pull the brake drum off of the brake assembly. If the drum will not pull off, the brake shoes are most likely pressing against the inside of the drum. Remove the rubber plug from the back of the brake assembly, then shine a flashlight into the slot revealed behind the plug. Note the adjusting screw star wheel. Insert a flat-head screwdriver through the slot and between two of the star's teeth. Rotate the star wheel with the screwdriver until the brake drum can be pulled off of the assembly.