Drum Brakes - Cannot remove rotor

Well, it's time to replace the rear shoes and I cannot seem to get the drums off for the life of me. I know there are threaded holes that I can thread a screw through, but I don't have the screws. On the front wheels there is what appears to be a little threaded piece welded to the disc shield that appears it would serve the purpose of holding a screw for this application.

The only problem... There are no screws in them. :( I have checked both front wheels.

Would anyone know how I could obtain this screw, or what the dimensions are, and could I pick one up from Autozone or similar store?

It's actually for a puller. Autozone rents them I think. You clamp around the back of the drum with them then as you turn in the screws it tightesns the clamps and pulls the drum free.

Thats how it worked on my Cavalier anyway. I never had to do rears when I had my spyder gs.


Note be sure to clean it up because even with the puller it can get to be a pain to remove if it's all caked on.

It's actually for a puller. Autozone rents them I think. You clamp around the back of the drum with them then as you turn in the screws it tightesns the clamps and pulls the drum free.

Even the repair manual says that I just need the screws. The holes are threaded, and as the screw pushes through it hits the hub(wheel assembly.. or whataver its called) and forces the rotor off. Forgot to mention there are 2 of them on each side of the rotor.

try autozone they most likely rent/lend them out. If you have the thread size you could always check out a local hardware store. The pullers are just the screws with clamps on the side. It works the same way.

I use pullers because thats what we own. But it's the same idea screws in and then pops drum off.

Well, then I guess my question is does anyone know the thread size, or how to obtain it? This is a 98 RS.

One thing I learned it to just whack it with a sledgehammer or something of that matter towards the bottom of the drum that faces outwards (the flat side). Its probally just stuck on there from brake dust or what not, but giving it a good whack has always worked for me.

One thing I learned it to just whack it with a sledgehammer or something of that matter towards the bottom of the drum that faces outwards (the flat side). Its probally just stuck on there from brake dust or what not, but giving it a good whack has always worked for me.

Well, I've got a decent sized rubber mallet I've been taking some cracks at it. If I put any more force into it I'm afraid I might bend/warp the drum. The drum has some nice corrosion holding it on, I can see that, but just can't get it to budge.

Nice looking RS btw. What kinda wheels are those?

Believe me man, don't be afraid to take a sledgehammer too it. When I went to UTI, my instructor whacked the shit out of mine and I was like "damn!". I mean don't take a full swing ofcourse, but a firm hit shouldn't hurt it at all, the drum is pretty stout. This is going to be a very obvious question, but you do have the e-brake disengaged when you're trying to take the drum off right? Just wondering because I've done that before, felt a bit retarded when I realized the e-brake was on, lol.

And thanks for the compliment, the wheels are off a 300ZX believe it or not.

Indeed the brake is off. ;-)

I'll give it another go with the hammer tonight when I get off of work and see how that goes.

I did some rear brakes for a friend on a 99 Grand Am and holy damn, I had to hit the fuckin thing probably 50 times before it finally came off, so don't be afraid to use some force.

I know this sounds dumb, buy you don't have the e-brake on do you?

I know this sounds dumb, buy you don't have the e-brake on do you?


Indeed the brake is off. ;-)

Xevenskyline already asked that.

Xevenskyline already asked that.

Ah, I missed that......I guess I should stop skimming replies. :(

Well, I went apeshit on the drum and it finally broke free. I didnt have a sledge so I kept hitting one side with the rubber malet and alternate the other side with a large claw hammer. Finally broke free after a couple of minutes of this.

After the auto parts store trying to sell me 2 different pairs of rotors that would not of worked I went somewhere else and got the right pair. Everything is back in it's right place and working like a champ.
Thanks all!

Invest in one of those sledgehammers with the yellow, plastic/flexible handle. That thing has come in handy for me on numerous occasions.

Alright one more question. While I'm at it I'm thinking of painting the drums to avoid that nasty rusty coating they seem to always get. What the best paint? Any tips? Any Cons?

I'm guessing that something like the high heat rated paint for grills would work, or do they make special paints for automotive use? I'm probably gonna do them in black.

IIRC, they make a special "brake paint," but I think it's like double the price of regular spray paint. I just used some automotive engine enamel I got from Napa I think and it's still on there 5 years later looking like it did the day I painted them.

I used duplicolor spray for calipers on the center of my rotors and my old drums. It was 6 bucks a can at autozone. They also sell a brush on kind but thats too much work. I cleaned them up really well (if yours are new all the better but still degrease them). Then I sparyed on 2 coats. It's high temp stuff. It works well.