Brake Drum Question

[drzoidberg]

Probably a newbie question here, but I couldn't find any other similar posts. Trying to remove the rear drum from my '98, and can't seem to get the adjuster screw to turn the right direction. The adjust appears to be on the side opposite (outside of the car) the access port. Is there a way to get the adjuster locking clip to release thru that port so I can loosen the adjuster screw? The Haynes manual I have says to use 2 screwdrivers, but it doesn't give enough detail to be useful.

Thanks.

[corem]

You may need to find a bright light so you can see the adjuster there should be small arm on the other side of adjuster. It can be hard to see but you need to push it back then turn adjuster to get them to losen up. If the spring that holds tension is weak you may be able to turn it with out pushing back the holder. Hope this helps!

[drzoidberg]

Thanks for the reply. I figured out just what you said about an hour after I posted. Would have helped to either have had a 3rd hand to hold the flashlight and 2 screwdrivers, or maybe midget hands. Just as you said, though, once I found the little black square of metal on the top toward the front that allowed me to push and release the adjuster arm, it was easy to turn the star, and the drum soon succumbed to some "hammer time."

The big surprise was when I got the drum off (the purpose of which was to replace the wheel bearing), lo and behold my 98 van had a 97 bearing (serviceable type), which made the hub I purchased useless. Once I figured out what was going on, I was able to get the correct stuff from Autozone, but man was I surprised to see that. I thought I was going to have to content with a big ol' 250 lb-ft spindle nut, but all I had to take off was a cotter pin and an 18 IN-lb retainer...sweet!

In case anyone in the future looks at this post, to loosen the adjuster, turn the star so that the bottom is rotating towards the outside.