I can't remove the rear drums to get to the pads to replace them. the car has about 115k on them, and i just started to get a grinding noise on the rear drivers side. it is an 03. I tried cleaning them with break clean, and also spraying the studs, hubs, and behind the drums with wd-40. all of this to no avail. any other tips i can try before i break out the sawzall?
Dan
I believe these cars have a clip installed on the studs during assembly to keep the drums on before the wheels were installed. If that's not the case, I suggest a BFH.
What kind of shoes are you installing?
2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"
yea, i tried that. and i am installing boring duralast shoes. this is just my DD so no frills.
Yes they can be a P.I.T.A., Just need a fair size hammer 45oz, Or mini slege hammer, and 2x4 piece of wood, Place wood on right and left side of the drum, then hit the slege on the wood it should allow the force to break the brake shoes free, Also in the center of the drum spray alot of WD-40 theire it will help get the drum off easier, Also u can pry lightly where the drum and tin drum shield meet, Should help getting it off their,
Good Luck.
just hit the thing hard as hell in a circle till it come off, I hope ya dont have your parking brake on do ya?
Or you can adjust your brakes so the pads are father away from the drum, then use the BFH.
Use a BFH and a can of PB Blaster, I had the same issue when i changed mine
Big hammer and parking brake off. Bash it til it breaks
There are ways to get them off without beating them. You just have to take out the rubber plug on the back of the drum towards the bottom to loosen the auto tensioner thing, with a screwdriver or something I think they even make a tool for this.
