The need to remove the drum usually arises when the brake cylinder fails. At first glance, this task does not pose any difficulty for a seasoned car enthusiast, so many car owners prefer to remove the drum on their own, without contacting a car service.
But sometimes this simple procedure turns into hard labor - for example, there are often cases when the drum simply does not come off, despite all efforts, it may even seem that it is welded to the axle shaft. And the material of the drum is so fragile that it cannot withstand strong mechanical stress. But do not rush to despair - the cause can be helped using some time-tested methods.
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Sometimes it is recommended to remove the brake drum, turn on the gear, turn on the gas and brake immediately. But this method is not suitable in the case when braking is not possible due to a cylinder malfunction. But there is a way out: since the drum is held on the axle shaft so tightly due to corrosion products, it is necessary first of all to break this strong bond. To do this, it is necessary to warm up the drum: made of aluminum alloy, it has a much higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the axle shaft made of steel.
The drum should be heated evenly, then the risk of warping will be minimized. It is usually sufficient to simply douse the drum with very hot water, or use a blowtorch. When heating the drum, try to periodically move it relative to the axle shaft, remembering to protect your hands with tarpaulin mittens or rags. When the drum heats up to 120-150 degrees, you can remove it.
- The above method is great for those cases when you are dealing with a personal car and not doing car repair professionally. To a specialist, this approach will certainly seem frivolous. If you want to remove the drum quickly and without much hassle, use special equipment - for example, a drum remover.
