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A quick question about brake drums...Do you have to pull the hub assembly to remove the drums for inspection??? I have done many a break job in my life, but this will be my first on an "M"...Thanks...John

ELBUFO wrote:A quick question about brake drums...Do you have to pull the hub assembly to remove the drums for inspection??? I have done many a break job in my life, but this will be my first on an "M"...Thanks...John

No need to pull hubs if you only need brake access. Removing 3 countersunk screws located between the wheel studs will allow the drum to slide off the hub.

Thanks for the reply. That is what I was afraid of. God I hate those countersunk screws. Ho well Got the market cornered on penetrating fluid, and I do own an impact driver.and a heat wrench. There is nothing quite like the "dink" sound a snapping bolt makes...Thanks...John

ELBUFO wrote:Thanks for the reply. That is what I was afraid of. God I hate those countersunk screws. Ho well Got the market cornered on penetrating fluid, and I do own an impact driver.and a heat wrench. There is nothing quite like the "dink" sound a snapping bolt makes...Thanks...John

Setting a healthy punch in the end of the screw slot & giving it a good hammer lick so as to turn the screw counter clockwise will break them loose most often. They can then be run out easily with a screw driver. This doesn't work every time, however we have had really good luck doing it this way in most cases. A liberal application of anti-seize on the threads before going back makes a world of difference next time around.

I had worried about those countersunk screws as well before I dove into my brakes, yet when the day came to do the work, every screw on all four wheels came off without any trouble. Luckily for me it seemed, the drums had been removed at some point and the screws were only hand tight. In fact one of them was missing and I had to replace it.

BTW - You may have to back off your brake adjusters to get the drums off. Most likely there is a wear groove that will cause the brake shoe to catch on the drum thus preventing its removal unless you back off the adjusters. I had to do this on a couple wheels as well.

Also, if you use a sqaure shanked screwdriver, you can put a wrench to that to give you some leverage. I'd soak the screws in a good dose of liquid wrench or equivalent for a day or so first before attempting to remove the screws though.

Fear of the straight slot heads sounds like a movie? Three hubs have only one screw and the fourth is missing all. I was told they just prevent the hub from falling on your foot with the wheel off - not safety related. Should I install? and if so, where would you get replacements?

knattrass wrote:Fear of the straight slot heads sounds like a movie? Three hubs have only one screw and the fourth is missing all. I was told they just prevent the hub from falling on your foot with the wheel off - not safety related. Should I install? and if so, where would you get replacements?

They should be replaced as they keep the Brake drum centered (and make the PIA brake adjustment last longer.

All the usual M37 parts guys have them and you can get them at McMasters or the like