ok so two problems that i got a slight idea how to fix but just want to double check. Ok first off my drums are rusted on i went to change back brakes but cant get drums off. any ideas i hit them with a little sledge but no luck. My grandad pulled out the 32lb sledge and i told him no i wanna keep my axles in my rearend. also 2 of my header bolts broke the 2 in the middle that are in the block that only have a nut on them. any idea on how to get these 2 out i now have a terrible exhaust leak and its driving me nuts. thanks

 

If the drum backing plate has a slot in it then you can turn the adjusters to pull the shoes inward. I've found that spraying a lubricant inside of the drums to saturate the linings will help, but overall you're going to need a BFH (Big ****ing Hammer) to remove the drums. That, or go to your FLAPS and rent a drum puller. A 10lb sledge is more than enough, but 32lbs is overkill and will most likely break the drums.

 

I used a three pound single jack to brake mine loose. Drown the lug/hub area with the penetrant of your choice, then, SMACK the drum at an angle, turn, smack, turn, smack. Might take a bit, but, it WILL come loose. Once it pops, you can generally just pull them right off.

If there is anything left sticking out of the head, weld a nut to it, and then try and extract them. If there isn't..... drill em out. Start with a small bit, and gradually go larger. Fit it with the largest 'e-z out' you can, and be CAREFUL.

 

Use the fire wrench before attempting any extraction method to "burn" any rust off of the threads

 

I think the hot wrench is my favorite tool.......

 

Here's mine:

 

Ball point hammer or mini sledge between the studs, and alot of penetrant around the center of drum, most likely it is rusted together in the center, just keep swinging till they start to move

 

You can also put a little heat to the drum then give it a few smacks.

 

Put the rear axle on blocks or jacks, remove the tires, replace one lug nut loosely threaded. Hop in cab and turn truck over. Push gas lightly in drive and slam the brakes. The hubs will be loose.

Remove the header, and if there's any bolt left out, you can just about remove it with your fingers if the threads aren't rusted. All the torque on those bolts is located on the bottom side of the head, when it breaks off, that tension is gone and the remaining bolt will have no strain left on it.

I literally unscrewed my last broken header bolt with my fingers.

 

Not all drums have a slot to access the adjuster. I know mine don't.