Brian, Just want to take a second to say Thank You! I think it safe to say that I speak for a vast majority of your viewers in wholeheartedly applauding the immense time and effort you expend in putting up these videos! They are very much appreciated, and will remain a valuable asset to the global community from now on.

This really helped me out. Key point is the mention of the rear access to the brake shoe adjustment wheel. I couldn't get my drum off because the shoes were out too far and needed to be moved in away from the drum. I looked for the rear access point on my '01 Chevy Venture and it worked. Don't forget to use a 2nd small screwdrive to push away the locking mechanism so the adjustment wheel can be moved in the direction to move the brake shoes away from the drum. This is also mentioned in the video. Thanks Brian!

Im a Chevy dealer tech and I like to watch videos on youtube because everybody has their little tricks to get the job done. Most make me laugh because they are truly clueless and seriously send people wrong information. You are the exception. You apparently know what your doing and I have to give you props for that. Keep up the good work.

I've seen about 6 videos that show off how to remove a drum but You Are The Only One who shows how in the proper way! It's been some time since I saw someone do brake shoes but I recall the adjuster from behind is the way it worked! To me, that is the mark of a good mechanic and not one who tries to force things to happen against natural reactions. Thanks for showing the professional way to do it. Now, I'm confident enough to tackle the job. I'm not one to beat on something, not knowing why!

It's an honor to know you, even if it's via KZfaq! You are a great asset for all of us who want to know more about repairing cars with all their idiosyncracies, but most of all, you're a great guy with a good heart!

Greetings from Costa Ricq. Thanks alot. I have watched a hundred videos and you are the only one who dealt with my problem: the rusty lip preventing full removal. I’m going to try to get my drum off again tomorrow; been driving me nuts. Thanks again.

Your videos are always awesome Brian! I learn a lot, and they're entertaining to watch, you're a great teacher and host. Thank you for making them, we really do appreciate it.

@GerryJ08 GREAT QUESTION! These were replaced due to uneven wear causing a pulsing problem that started because the truck sat so long without being used. There's a stamp on every drum sold in the US on the maximum diameter. If the measure is greater than that you shouldn't machine that RR off, but replace it instead.

Really Good video Brian ! I remember once doing a brake job a tractor trailer and found out that one drum had cracked apart and was no longer there . That was the Fastest brake job I have done . I have ran unto what you have shone a lot in the past and after I thought about how they work it made it so much easier . You still get them once in a while where they just do not wont to come off . Thanks for another fantastic video Brian !

Man, you literaly saved my life.... I've been trying to take the drum off for 2 days and then I gave up. I was just about to go to a mechanic when I saw your video. I found the access hole, I rotated that screw multiple times and got that sucker off :) So once again. HUGE thank you :))

you did a real good job explaining, some men are natural teachers you would do well in a classroom thank you keep up the good work your videos are of the best on here ken

Have a stuck rear wheel on an old Montero that was parked forever under a tree. I'm a Multimedia guy and anything past changing my oil is pretty much out of my league. BUT, thank's to your video I'll see if I can not get the darn drum loosened enough so I can drive to a proper break shop :-) Appreciate how you do the video! No attitude, just to the point "How To" info and no annoying sound track. Thumbed up, subscribed...SMILED :-)

Good info mate. Knew about the adjusters but your video showed me where to find the lever through the access hole. Had the drums off in no time.

@1elAguila You too- hope you're keeping warmer than I am!

Brian big props to you! You got class!!

Like # 649. The first video that actually showed a galldanged brake spoon. Had I had one yesterday, I wouldn't have had to repent today of all the colorful blue metaphors I used yesterday. Had to wiggle in two screwdrivers today, one longer and slender for the spring loaded lever and a stubby screwdriver as the ones yesterday were slipping off the gears. Job completed now, thank God, but I am snagging a spoon. Thanks for a great no frills video.

I wrestled with one last weekend. I never knew I should use a screw driver on latch before spooning it. Thanks for the tip! Make as many videos as you want with the audio clipping, I am learning a lot. Thanks!

thanks for the video im glad to be one of those subscribers! your videos are sososososos helpful and your channel is my favorite on youtube! keep up the good work

Well done. 50% is being willing to give it a go. another say 10% knowledge and then anther 40% persistence. Keep at it.

Thanks Mate I have a 47 Desoto & having trouble getting back drum off. Your video has been a big help. "Cheers".

got to say brian really do appreciate what your doing. EVen though im not as mechanically inclined as you are. i Love cars and learning how to fix them i have literally watched every video you have put up just to expand my horizon on cars or pretty much anything with a motor. Again brian thanks alot, your sharing of your knowledge helps me grow as a person and gives me the confidence to work on my own car and be patient with it. versus paying my mechanic 200$ to change my struts.

Another good video Brian, as usual. I have a 2001 F150 and a 1992 F150, the 01 has 278,000 and the 92 has 121,000. There are a lot of comedians on you tube trying to show us how to do things, but there are some excellent mechanics /technicians on there too. There are three or four guys I can rely on for good professional information, You are one of those. Please keep making the videos. I need the help.

@exmarkmetroguy Thank you very much for that support. Hearing things like that keeps me going.

briansmobile1, People tell you things you didn't know!? Tell me it ain't so, I thought you knew everything! I'm playing with you, man! People like you because you are a gentleman and a scholar, and to top it all off, you are humble despite your great knowledge! That's why I am one of your subcribers!

I've had to do that adjustment many times to be able to remove the drums. I even been a screw driver just enough to get the right angle through that adjustment hole. I still enjoyed your video and watched it all the way through!

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to educate us... Great job!

Thank you for sharing the video I have a Ford 8N tractor that has break drums and I watched a few videos and not one shows details of how to remove the break drums like what I have but you showed me what I didn't know.. thank you

Thank you soooo much Brian, I have a "95 Mazda MX6 with ABS the front are pads the rear are drums and rusted. I was fixing to take a torch and sledge hammer to this S.O.B!!!! lol you know bring out my inner Thor! However you gave me yet one more option. I love my Mazda it was my 1st car ever and still starts up. it's also back up when my "03 Durango is in the shop.

Thanks for helping me understand what everyone told me but I couldn't grasp.

@09victoryrc cool. We call that configuration "drum-in-hat" because it's like a top hat or sombrero with the brim being the disc and the e-brake being in the hat portion where a head would go.

@AdolaminII Well, you win some you lose some. This one was too tall to fit inside so the wind outside causes that to eliminate the wind noise.

Great video Brian, once again. Thank you

Keep up the great videos. They are very helpful.

@kid123000 You're welcome- I'm glad to hear you had success!

Good luck! Hang in there. Hopefully you're warmer where you are. Today's high was 8F here.

no i want to say thank you you make some of the best videos and best explanations and reasons why stuff worksi learn alot from your videos

You are the Boss when it comes to explaining! I could never make a video close to this. Aloha and keep it up

@Bonfield2002 Ya- Dodge uses some of the cheapest steel next to maybe Volkswagen. (both out of Mexico) These drums got replaced. They were out of spec, pulsing, and cracked. Anti-sieze is totally made for use on rotors, wheels, drums etc. You're (as you know) totally fine to use it for that.

Hi Brain Thanks for your efforts making the videos, I'm always happy when I see a new one on my subscription. You really make things very clear for us amatiur mechanics!

thanks a lot dude. all of your videos are great.

@iworkforbudlight I'm glad that you think so- I will- with encouragement like that.

One of the blessings of 4 wheel disk brakes; which is one of the reasons I converted my 71 Chevy's 4 wheel drum to 4 wheel disk.

@ivanbgct I had a jack stand under it for the get under there parts ; ) I stayed clear while filming- had to pull the jack out for the camera to have access. I DO like the way you're thinking though!

@The1Rice Yep that's exactly what it is.- One of my favorite trucks.

That was a excellent video on removing the drum brakes never thought about the self adjusting forgot all about that thought about buying a tool but the self-adjusting two on the car is all it takes this was an excellent video thank you sir

Welcome Thanks!

@AdirondackNY lol. That sounds pretty clever. This truck looked like Midas had beaten it like a coconut. One drum had a chunk missing from it.

Brian, you are a genuinely nice guy... that's why everybody's so positive towards you in the comments :)

@ryansauto93 I'm flattered- thanks!

u don't no how much this helped me was trying to get the drum of for 3 days

Thank you!

this was great info, my head isnt hurting so much now!

Thank you mate. Very informative for us learners..

@TheFred1952 Undo the hold down spring pins and hope for the best.

Hey great video! A lot of people have trouble with drum brakes, including mechanics! I'm attending Westwood College for auto tech. I'm actually in brakes class right now. Anyway when your star wheel is on bottom, the shoes are primary and secondary. Primary being toward the front of the car. A leading trailing is when the star wheel is above your hub. the difference is a duo servo action (self energizing) on a primary secondary set up. Just throwing it out there.

Thanks a lot from The Netherlands!!

@mrmaxv1 If the problem is corrected it will reset on its' own after a number of drive cycles. Otherwise you'll need a scanner or disconnect the battery for five minutes.

Number 1 teaching, thanks Bro

That's a good idea- you're pretty smart!

@spelunkerd You push the lever to clear the "starwheel" teeth. Then you rotate it the opposite way the foot does. If there's no access plug there will be a knock-out for access. Use a drift and hammer to knock it into the drum.

Great video man...absolutely awesome thanks a lot for the detail explanation.

@majinjovan Thank you!

Right on! I need to get some more of those up huh?

Thanks, for all the good info, I look forward to watching your videos.

@orbitaaltube If you can acquire a hardware kit, you can chisel off the hold down spring center pins from behind the backing plate and then the shoes can collapse together like a taco to release the drum.

@huronhockey8 Good for you! I really admire your ambition!

super helpful, u are good at video making. helped me so much! thankyou

Great videos man love it.

@rwbishop Interesting- I hadn't heard that, but you gave me a good visual. That sounds reasonable too.

Thank you very much!

@brakedd It's a 1997 long bed extra cab Ford 3/4 ton.

Thanks Brian that was really helpful

Very good info my friend... Keep up the good work!

thank you, this fixed all my problems

Thank you for this. I was trying to turn the adjusting screw unaware of the lever. Now I'm ready for drum removal. :-)

Thanks- good luck!

Thanks!

Thanks- not sure what I did, but I'm glad you liked it. ; )

Great video,... always look forward to them... :) You have a thoughtful and intelligent subscriber base because you're thoughtful and intelligent.

Thank you very much! I'm flattered to associate with you.

Thanks for the video. I'm hoping the adjuster advise is going to help me a lot.

You're most welcome!

wow! that's a lot of help, I've have done a drum on a car, but dreading it on my truck. plus from what it looks like, your working on a ford maybe even the 7.3L =) Thanks

Great advice!

Great video very helpful 👍

@CURBECK They're always getting in the way when you're try'n to slide your stuff!

Welcome!

Thanks

You're welcome Karl!

Awesome video man! Keep em' comin! :D

keep up the hard work amigo

@StevenJamesJ Your best mechanics will collapse it in and then use that adjuster hole to adjust it back out to a light drag for customer satisfaction.

so if that screw is self adjusting, will it readjust itself to where it should be when I take off and reinstall the shoes? I did one of my brake cylinders a while back and didn't really mess with any adjustments, but it seems to work great and I haven't had any issues. great vid as always

Thanks for the video....very helpful.

Great video! I wish I knew this info when I tried to replace my rear "drum-in-hat" disc brakes. I tried like crazy to get those off but couldn't do it, so I took it to the dealer to replace them for me. Turns out, the emergency brake shoes were hung up on the inside rust rim inside the drum part of the disc. Apparently there was a way to retract them a bit using a screw driver.

Great video! Thanks!

Big Help -thank you!

@ivanbgct You can see the jack I pulled out at 1:40 down on the left. ; )

Hopefully I don't use this instruction, but I'm getting ready to fix the brakes on a '69 Chevy I bought. Thanks for keeping me prepared!

I have a 2008 mercury Mariner V6 4×4 that sat 4 months I live in Vermont.i had to trickle charge the battery it runs but I got in it to take a spin I disengaged the parking brake and I guess the shoes and drum are rusted together is this right