Hello, new to forum. I'm a basic 122 nut with a yardart rusting 69 and a 62 that I am working on...
I have a very basic (?) question from a novice mechanic. I need to rebuild the cylinders on my rear brake and I cannot get the drums off. I know many cars have the little rotating "star nut" that releases the shoes but all these drums have is a threaded bolt with a 1/4" square head near the bottom on the back of the drum but it seems like whichever way I turn it, it does nothing. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. - mike in Kansas

Loosen the nut then re-install and go to a nearby shopping mall or other large (nearly empty) parking area. Loosen the nut 1 turn and put the split pin back in. Drive in a circle with the loose nut to the inside. Check to see if it is loose yet. Do it again, if necessary.
Once loose, jack up that corner and remove the drum. Spriz with good penetrating oil and replace. Replace nut but only tighten to about 1/4 normal torque.
Do other side and drive slowly home.

Yeah, you will be driving on "loose" wheels for a bit. Honestly, I've driven on alarmingly loose drums at freeway speeds for several miles with no ill effect. Just don't do it for long or regularly! Yes, it is a BIG safety issue.

You could also do this in the street in front of your house but it is much less embarrassing in a place where you are somewhat anonymous... Of course it doesn't bother ME! Uh, uh. No way.

lol

Mike!

p.s. I have also done the free safety inspection gig. Then I take the list home and do it myself!

Mike! (again, still and forever)

Don't tell anybody I told you this, but here is a great way to get drums off with little effort. Take the car to a local shop that is advertising free brake inspections. After they pull the drums and tell you that it needs $1800 in brake work, thank them and tell them to put it back together, you'll be right back up to pick up the car. Immediately upon bringing the car home, jack it up and pull the wheels and drums off. You'll be amazed how easy it is.

Don't even ask me how I know this trick. I have my pride.

soemguyfromMaryland

You sly dog, you! I like your style!!!

Hello Mike: Yes, it takes a heavy duty wheel puller to remove the rear drums. Remove the castle nut, then put it back onto the axle backwards, otherwise you will ruin the threads on the axle (as the previous owner did on my Amazon!) I also have a die to clean the threads since even using this procedure may still damage the threads. As you can see, you hit the arms of the puller with a small sledge hammer. You can check out other tricks I learned when I did my Amazon a few years ago: http://cvolvo.com/Central/AMAZON/

PS: this picture is from my 444 but they're essentially the same drum

Good luck.
--
Cam a.k.a. CVOLVO.COM

You need a real hub puller that attaches to the lugnut studs. Check with a local tool store for a good, heavy-duty one. JC Whitney has a low-budget one that usually works, but fails in a minority of cases.

Turning the square adjuster inwards (CW) tightens the brakes, outwards loosens. You'll immediately understand how it works once you get the drums off.