Reaper19

Well I just finished my complete front end suspension and brake system replacement of all parts and now starting on replacing the rear brakes, hoses and parking brake parts. After removing the tires and calipers both rotors were stuck. I disconnected the parking brake cable on each wheel and made sure the star wheel adjuster is closed all the way. The star wheels are frozen but they were both adjusted all the way closed with no threads showing.

I soaked both rotors with Liquid Wrench and used a hammer to loosen since they were stuck. The RR finally came loose, but the LR will not budge. I have wire brushed and been smacking with a hammer most of the afternoon, waiting in between for penetrating fluid to work, but no luck so far.

I have now brought out a can of PB Blaster and going to hit it every few hours to soak for the next 24 hours.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Alan 71

Hi R19,
Just checking…...
Have the rivets been drilled and removed on the left side?
Regards,
Alan

Reaper19

Hi Alan. You are fast, I was just adding to the original thread that the rear arms were replaced by the PO at some point and the rotors did not have the rivets re-installed. I can see all the way through all holes to the parking brake parts through each hole. There is lots of rust running off the rotor and around the axle/inner area between rotor and axle. I am hoping that soaking the parts will eventually loosen it up. Not sure I want to try heat with a propane torch yet to try and expand the rotor and loosen. Never had a rotor give me this much of an issue,

Thanks

Randy

NeverTooOld

A MAPP gas torch will probably loosen it but be sure to heat it a LOT to kill the rust and expand the hole diameter enough for it to break loose. In the meantime keep the penetrating oil on it.

Reaper19

Thank you

Would the heat do anything to the grease in the rear bearings?

oldboat

perhaps a big three jaw puller.

GTR1999

If you have a lot of rust in/on the arm chances are the parking brake springs are broken, could be the shoe cut a groove inside the drum or are dragging on the drum. Try a couple of pry bars 180* apart in the rotor webs to try and rock it off. If the rivets are clear then it's either rust or the shoes binding them up.

Reaper19

I will give that a try tomorrow. Hopefully between the PB and prying get it unstuck. I will let you know.

Thanks.

Street Rat

Check the local auto parts stores. You may be able to rent one.

Reaper19

Update on stuck rotor. I went home Monday night after allowing the PB Blaster to soak for 24 hours and gave the rotor 2 wacks with the BFH and off she came. Soaking the rust was the answer. Now onto removing the old crusty parking brake parts, clean up, paint and install the new SS hardware.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and assistance!

Randy

GTR1999

Good job. Now you get to work through the axle flange holes to install the springs and cups.

resdoggie

Trick: Compress brake shoe springs in a vice, clamp, etc. Tie compressed spring with dental floss on two sides to prevent decompression. Install pin through shoe, put spring over pin and cup on end of pin rotating it 90*. Carefully burn or cut floss. Presto!

GTR1999

Very good point, but before he gets to that be sure to test fit the parts on the bench. The hold down pins usually need to be filed to an arrow head to lock them into the cups.

Reaper19

Great tips. I did not realize what a tight space those shoes are installed until the rotors came off, WOW. Looks like lots of patience and a 6 pack job for this weekend.