I recently aquired a 72 240Z. It has a frozen right rear brake drum (from sitting for a while). I'm not familiar with the drum brakes and was wondering if someone can educate me on the best way to free up the drum. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Steve

This can be difficult, but there is a plug on the face of the drum that can be removed , if y ou can rotate it to the point that you can see the adjuster star wheel turn it with a screw driver and that should free up the drum. Now if you want to remove the drum then use a block of wood to protect it , and place the block on the FRONT outside edge and strike it with a hammer then do th e same to the oppisite side. What you are trying to do is rock the drum from side to side and dislodge it from the axle. Use blaster on the drum where it contacts the axel. It's the best penitrating "oil" I have ever seen. Any way keep striking the drum from side to side and top to bottom untill it becomes free . watch the center and you will see it move then work it off. You can use the block of wood on the back side of the fins and do the same back and forth action with the hammer. If you strike the drum with the hammer you will most likely damage the drum. Patience is the key. The PB Blaster is great for rust , the best thing I have seen.

I could not turn the adjustment when my rear brakes locked up in my 73'. So i had to hammer the drum out( annoying job) and i couldn't hit it too hard so as to not damage the drum. Once i finally got the drum off i had to replace the rear wheel cylinders. They usaually run about $75 each a high price.(not the usual american brand price of like $20). Even though the driver side wheel was the only one locked up I thought it a good idea to replace both cylinders.

Ah, that explains the rear drum that was in pieces in the back of my 240Z when I bought it...