Brake Job on 93 Pathfinder

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frusty - 09 Mar 2006 01:35 GMT

Im in the middle of a Brake job for my 93 Pathfinder. When i got to the rear
brakes, after taking off the tires I am unable to remove the brake drum. Are
there any bolts/nuts holding it in place or it is just frozen on there?
If anyone knows, please help. thanks

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JimV - 09 Mar 2006 02:19 GMT

> Im in the middle of a Brake job for my 93 Pathfinder. When i got to the rear
> brakes, after taking off the tires I am unable to remove the brake drum. Are
> there any bolts/nuts holding it in place or it is just frozen on there?
> If anyone knows, please help. thanks

It's likely rusted around the hub. Spray some good penetrating oil (not
WD40) on it and let it sit for a while, then whack it a few times with a
hammer. It will loosen-up.

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TFM® - 09 Mar 2006 02:53 GMT

>> Im in the middle of a Brake job for my 93 Pathfinder. When i got to
>> the rear
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> WD40) on it and let it sit for a while, then whack it a few times with a
> hammer. It will loosen-up.

Or if it's been a while since the shoes have been replaced, they may
have cut into the drum forming a lip behind the shoe itself.

This situation can be tricky.

If it ain't broke, break it.

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TFM®

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: ) - 09 Mar 2006 10:10 GMT

I agree about the drum having a lip. It actually happens quite often.
You'll need to back-off the self-adjuster so the shoes can pull back in.
Then hit the drum a couple of times (between the wheel studs over the axle
flange) to loosen the rust and the drum should come off easily. If it's
still stuck, then use some penetrating oil around the studs and the center
opening of the drum. Let the penetrating oil work for a few minutes, then
hit the drum again to knock the rust loose. Repeat as necessary.
Note: a specialized tool is made to (by AMMCO) to push the adjuster lever
out of the way, but you should also be able to do it with 2 narrow blade
screwdrivers. 1 to push the lever and 1 to back-off the adjuster. The
access hole in the backing plate for Nissans (in
most cases) is above the axle and off center to the rear. It should also
have a rubber plug blocking the hole.

>>> Im in the middle of a Brake job for my 93 Pathfinder. When i got to the
>>> rear
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> If it ain't broke, break it.

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DS - 09 Mar 2006 14:50 GMT

Aren't there screw holes on the drum for threading a bolt into to "push" the
drum off the hub?

>I agree about the drum having a lip. It actually happens quite often.
> You'll need to back-off the self-adjuster so the shoes can pull back in.
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>>
>> If it ain't broke, break it.

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DS - 09 Mar 2006 14:53 GMT

I just checked my service manual. There are two holes on each drum that will
accept M8 bolts. Thread some bolts in and tighten slowly and alternately to
release the drum. Make sure you parking brake lever is fully released.

> Aren't there screw holes on the drum for threading a bolt into to "push"
> the drum off the hub?
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>>>
>>> If it ain't broke, break it.

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willshak - 09 Mar 2006 16:28 GMT

On my 97 pickup, there are two bolt holes, one on either side of the
center of the drum. Mine takes two 12 MM bolts about 1 1/2" long (top of
head to bottom of bolt) and screwed into the holes to push the drum off.
See if yours are the same.

Signature

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY

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: ) - 09 Mar 2006 19:51 GMT

yes, there are 2 holes in the drum which you can use the metric bolts to
remove the drum, but if the lip is high or the drum is rusted in place,
you'll strip the threads in the holes. Then you'll need to resort to what I
mentioned earlier.

>> Im in the middle of a Brake job for my 93 Pathfinder. When i got to the
>> rear
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> head to bottom of bolt) and screwed into the holes to push the drum off.
> See if yours are the same.

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willshak - 09 Mar 2006 20:25 GMT

: ) wrote:
> yes, there are 2 holes in the drum which you can use the metric bolts to
> remove the drum, but if the lip is high or the drum is rusted in place,
> you'll strip the threads in the holes. Then you'll need to resort to what I
> mentioned earlier.
>

The drum is press fit onto the axle bolts. No amount of banging will get
them off.
I know, because I tried for an hour or so, adjusting the brake shoes to
increase the clearance between the shoes and drum, and banging the drum
with a small sledge hammer like I had to do in the old days, not knowing
what those two holes were for. Once I found out, the drum just pushed
right off.
I agree that the drum may have a ridge, but the bolts would be the first
step, and more than likely, pull the shoes past the ridge.

>
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
>

Signature

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY

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Larry Colombo - 10 Mar 2006 03:14 GMT

Look towards the center of the drum and see if you see some 2 female threads
just outside the bearing area. If so they are to put some bolt into to work
as a puller to remove the drum. If my memory serves they are 1/4" x 20
threads.

> Im in the middle of a Brake job for my 93 Pathfinder. When i got to the
> rear
> brakes, after taking off the tires I am unable to remove the brake drum.
> Are
> there any bolts/nuts holding it in place or it is just frozen on there?
> If anyone knows, please help. thanks

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