Seized brake drum - how to remove please?

[PaulP38a]

Hi folks

discovered that the rear left brake drum on the 01 TD4 has siezed tonight. am currently in the garage trying to remove it...
car lifted, axle stands in place, handbrake off, wheels off, retaining screws off drums, grommet covers on rear of drum removed... trying to follow Rave and locate this "ratchet" thingy to loosen off shoes... no luck.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Paul.

[101RRS]

The ratchet is too release the shoes when you put the drum back on not get it off. As such you need the drum off to get at it to release the shoes. SEE EDIT

The ratchet is the auto adjuster and is activated as you push the brake pedal. When you put your shoes on you release the ratchet so the shoes are in and then put the drum on - when you first use the brakes the shoes pop out to just touch the drum.

The drum should come off as the brakes are now. If not then gentle persuasion is required. Try a rubber mallet - if no rubber try a normal hammer with a block of wood.

You will need to slowly work your way around the drum with small movements in one spot the best. If you bash away it at one place, the drum will just jam.

Garry

EDIT: If that does not work apparently the ratchet can be adjusted through the rear access hole."Using a small screwdriver or two release the shoe adjuster and turn the adjuster to increase to increase shoe to drum clearance"

While the RAVE is a great reference source it is really made for landrover mechanics and is a not a manual for us 'dummies'. For us amateurs I find the Haynes manual much more useful as it goes into more detail on how to do things.

[PaulP38a]

Thanks Garry - found the ratchet but got very little movement. Trying the rubber mallet now.

Cheers, Paul.

[flagg]

When this happens I just tap around in circles around the drum with a small mallet.. gradually increasing the impact as I go. Eventually you feel it move, then just tap on the opposite side of the drum to bring it square.

The only complication is if they are really warn and their is a 'lip' of drum keeping the shoes in there.. if this happens you will know because the drum is loose but wont slide off. You should still be able to wiggle it off though.

[PaulP38a]

Thanks for the help blokes. It is starting to move a bit, but it's getting late and I must be getting old as my back was hurting from crouching over this thing for the past couple of hours. Will have another go tomorrow night. Think I'd better order some new shoes anyway.
http://paulp38a.com/gallery/d/1850-1/FL-Drum-004.JPG


Now this is a pretty sad sight... 2 Landies in my house and both off the road... Rangie is having an "engine refresh" and the Freeby is up in the air.
http://paulp38a.com/gallery/d/1864-1/FL-Drum-011.JPG
Looks like my better half will be driving her "old" car tomorrow and I'll be buzzing along in the "Zook".

cheers, Paul.

[Mockery]

Have you had a twiddle of the handbrake cable adjuster, located beneath the centre console cubby-box?

[PaulP38a]

Have you had a twiddle of the handbrake cable adjuster, located beneath the centre console cubby-box?

excellent timing Mockery.. am doing that right now... seems pretty loose though.

[PaulP38a]

Finally got the drum off. Many thanks to all for your assistance and suggestions.

In addition to tapping with a mallet, I found that crossing a couple of large screwdrivers through the gap between the hub and the drum helped to pull the drum off more evenly, as shown below.
http://paulp38a.com/gallery/d/1868-1/FL-Drum-013.jpg

once the drum was off, I was able to check movement of the shoes and pistons... seemed ok but the adjustment "star" nut seemed further up than it should be. Backed it off a few turns, cleaned up the shoes and the drum (a lot of dust in there of course) and put it all back together.

Checked the handbrake - all good. Got my son to jump in and tried the brakes - all good.

Will take it for a run tomorrow to see what it is like under load. Either way, I'll be sending it off to the mechanic next week to get it looked at properly and have some new shoes put in.

cheers
Paul.

[PaulP38a]

Thanks to all for your suggestions on this matter. I've documented a few notes and pics over at Siezed Brake Drum PaulP38A.com (http://paulp38a.com/2001-freelander-td4/siezed-brake-drum/) with acknowledgement to the help I got from here.
Cheers, Paul.