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.

[mark v]

They sell a special screwdriver type thing to spin the star adjuster. I have a 1998 and had no issues removing mine with this too. It can be hard to get at but you can. You may need a Flashlight and a Mirror too see it easier.

[drzoidberg]

Thanks for the reply, I ended up using 2 screwdrivers, and LED light, and some derogatory comments about the drum. Probably one of those specialized tools would have made things easier, but the key I found was to use 2 precision screwdrivers, since they fit in behind the air suspension and don't interfere with each other too much. Would have helped to either have had a 3rd hand to hold the flashlight and 2 screwdrivers. 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!

[mark v]

Glad you got it off and funny how the car had the wrong part on it.

[cleat]

My 98 windstar is the same way. I bought a hub then returned it when I didn't need it. Just bought new seals and cleaned and repacked the bearings and good to go.

Must have been a mid 98 change.

[mark v]

Yeah cause my 1998 has sealed bearings.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by drzoidberg

...Trying to remove the rear drum from my '98, and can't seem to get the adjuster screw to turn the right direction...

It is pretty unusual to have to "back off the adjuster" to remove a rear brake drum. Rear brake do not wear much (I have a 1998 E150 w/91K and original shoes/drums with lot of wear left). Usually a hammer (okay a large hammer) to the sides of the drum (do not try to hit the lip from the back) will "persuade" it to move.

Also backing off the star wheel means that the self adjusters have a lot of work to do to get things back where they were. I hope you back down your driveway every morning !

[mark v]

If you never turn the drum during a rear brake job you will have to back off the adjuster to remove the drum due to the wear and lip on the side of the drum, I have seen it many times. People dont think the Drums ever need to be turned for some reason.

I had to back of my adjuster on my original rear brakes on my 1998 Windstar when I did them, there was a small lip from the wear and couldn't pull the Drum off.

[Flyingjackal456]

I never turn the drums due to my previous bad luck with turning drums... Easier to just keep the same drums or replace. My first set of drums lasted 250,000 miles

[mark v]

Ah you must like bad rear brakes then, when they are glazed up they are useless.