This is what a friend of mine does. Go to a service center that will provide free estimates on repair work, and get one for rear brake service. They will take your car in and FREE THE DRUMS for you during their inspection! You can then say no thanks, drive home and easily remove the drums for your own inspection or shoe replacement.
Removing rear drums
- Thread starter Rebel Rouser
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I don't know if a 99 Altima has any special problems, but many others are a PITA. Start with the parking brake off. Look for screws holding the drum on. They tend to fit tightly around the hub. Sand the rust of what sticks out back as close as you can. Give it a good squirt of penetrating oil around the hub and studs. Sometimes you can then wiggle it off. If not, it means a hammer or torch. Modern drums do not have excess metal. They break. Still you can hit it fairly hard between the studs where it is supported by the hub. Do not ask King Kong to help with that. Also work at knocking it sideways from the outer edge. Since this is unsupported, thin, cast iron, you want more of a tap than a pound. Usually it finally starts off when you are hitting it with one hand, and pulling with the other.
Often a torch makes quick work of the job, but uneven heat can distort the drum.
Sand all the rust off, and apply antisieze to the hub before putting it back on. I would put some oil or antisieze on the studs too, and reduce the tightening torque by 20%. Others, including the manufacturers, insist the lug nuts should be installed dry.
Often a torch makes quick work of the job, but uneven heat can distort the drum.
Sand all the rust off, and apply antisieze to the hub before putting it back on. I would put some oil or antisieze on the studs too, and reduce the tightening torque by 20%. Others, including the manufacturers, insist the lug nuts should be installed dry.
I use the bolt method as well. Don't get real long bolts or you'll easily bend them applying the force needed to remove the drums.
It is also worth noting that you should not have pressed the brake pedal after you shut off the car, and remember to release the parking brake.
Live and learn, a few times I had a **** of a time removing the drums, come to find out that because I didn't follow the above advise, the shoes were clamping to the drums.
Do it the shadetree mechanic way. Knock 1 or 2 wheel studs inside the drum. Then take a cheap screwdriver and wedge between the drum and hub.
Forgot to say you can remove the 2 wheel studs once the drum comes off and reinstall them. I have seen people do this lots of times.
I have a 99 Altima and was wondering how to remove the rear brake drums to check the condition of the brakes. Any advice or tricks would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys, I will give it a try!
Chinook
Chinook
I always back off the auto-adjusters too. Otherwise, the unworn ledge at the edge of the drum catches on the shoes.
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