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I tried searching the forum and I have read the service manual. I am trying to get a front brake drum off on a 53 Patrician. The nut is off the spindle along with the outer wheel bearing. The brake shoes aren't releasing. I can use a breaker bar and force the drum to turn but it is very hard. Is there away to release the shoes with the drum on? Or do I need to get a puller and pull the drum off?

Thanks,
John

Most likely, you will need a drum puller. Release the handbrake. Be prepared to hear a very loud bang when it comes off, depending how long it's been since it was off last.

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On the fronts, one possibility is the shoes have worn the drum badly and the edge is sticking on almost a groove in the drum. Have you tried backing the star wheel off all the way. Another is the inner bearing has somehow seized to the spindle and you will need some kind of puller to either move the bearing on the spindle or have the bearing stay but pull the seal out of the drum.

Using the star wheel adjuster, retract the shoes. The shoes are likely hung up on a lip which has formed at the outer edge of the drum.

Thanks for the replies. The star wheel adjuster is the nut at the top of the front brake backing plate?

Thanks
John

Quote:

At the bottom accessed thru a slot in the backing plate. Usually the slot is visible but sometimes the original rubber cover is still present and will need to be pried off. Look at Joes third photo in his post above. You can see the star wheel at the bottom just on top of the spring which keeps the shoes together and the star wheel from turning by itself. You can use a flat blade screwdriver to turn it but the proper tool frequently called a brake spoon and available from almost any parts store is much easier to use.

Thanks for the help. I will try that.
John

I found it. The star wheel is clicked up to loosen?
John

Brake spoon for adjusting star wheel adjusters. You should be able to find one at any decent auto parts store. Yes, you can manage with a screwdriver, but using the proper tool makes the job much easier.

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Thanks everyone. Adjusted the star adjuster and drum came off.