1995 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L V8 4x4 SLT Automatic

I just got this truck and I have worked on everything you can think of except trucks so I am hoping to learn.
So

First question, any tricks on how to remove the rear brake drums? I removed one no problem but the other is stuck.

Second, I believe my odometer is not working. How do I fix that?

Thank You

 

You might could take a hammer and hit around the drum, just be careful not to hit a lugnut stud...

 

back off the star adjuster for the shoes. thn proceed to smack the crap out of the drum face with a BFH. itll come loose.

if you accidentally hit a stud, just press it back in with an impact gun, a large nut to go over the stud and the lug nut.

 

+1 on hammering the outside face of the drum with a heavy hammer in a circular pattern - pops loose almost every time for me...

 

adjusting the shoe pressure/position down, so it can clear the wear lip, is most important.

you may also have to back off the e-brake cable adjustment a little, not much, in front of the gas tank.

spray some pb-blaster or similar around the lugs and inner lip at the axle hub to try to break the grip of the rust.

then smack it with a rubber hammer. i prefer a rubber hammer to lessen the chance of busting a drum.

 

I smack the drum on the outer edge on a downward angle. No danger of trashing lugnuts that way. (not straight down, mind you....) With a bit of chems, and a 3 pound hammer, generally don't have to hit it more than twice.

 

Where is the star adjuster? Appreciate the feed back guys

 

I highly suggest you go to your local auto parts store in the morning and get a Haynes manual. The star adjusters are inside the drum, access to them is from the back side of the brake back plates through an oval hole.

 

Screw that, free FSM in the DIY/FAQ Section!

 

pictures.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-pictures.html