How to remove brake drums with no access to self adjuster’s

[Henry W]

Just finished removing brake drums from a 2013 Chevy Cruze.

Once a ridge is on the inside of a drum it usually means that the self adjuster needs to be backed off to slide the drum off. This is not easy with some GM vehicles. Some have no access holes to the adjuster. I could not believe that GM allowed this. I went on some forums and owner's and mechanics commented that there was absolutely no way to get a drum off without damaging the backing plate and other components.

I read that many beat the drums with hammers and tried prying with no success. I was in the same situation. But I did not start banging and prying.
I just took some time off and thought about it.

I want to share how to get these drums off.

If they won't slide off, the only way I figured out to get drums off without the risk of damaging the backing plate and other parts is:

• Get a 4-1/2" right angle grinder
• Get 4-1/2" cut off disks

1– Measure 1/2" back from the face of the drum on the outer circumference of the drum.

2– Cut through the drum around the whole circumference of the drum until the drum is completely cut through.

3– Take hold of the drum face and pull it off.

4– Now you can get to the adjuster. Back it off completely and pull the rest of the drum off.


It's that simple. It only took 10 minutes per side.

Log in to view pictures.