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Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate


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samspam
New User

Apr 28, 2019, 8:41 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2429 views)
  post locked   Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate  

I tried removing a brake cylinder yesterday on a rear drum backing plate, but couldn't get the cylinder off. Brake shoes and springs were all removed before I attempted to remove the wheel cylinder.
I removed the the 10mm bolts and the brake line thinking that the cylinder would just come off, but there seemed to be either corrosion/rust or maybe a previous mechanic/owner used JB weld or something to secure it? Hopefully the latter is not the case since it's pretty obvious that wheel cylinders need to be replaced from time to time.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? I may have to tap it a few times with a hammer in order to get it to budge, but I'm worried that I may damage the brake line.

Vehicle: 2012 Chevy Cruze LS


(This post was edited by samspam on Apr 28, 2019, 9:07 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Apr 28, 2019, 9:02 AM

Post #2 of 7 (2426 views)
  post locked   Re: Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate  

It's a tight fit into the hole and a little rust on the backside can make it very difficult to pull out.

Just use a large screwdriver or small prybar between the cylinder and the backing plate. You may have to alternate ends to walk it all the way out. Use sharp motions.



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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 28, 2019, 10:15 AM

Post #3 of 7 (2413 views)
  post locked   Re: Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate  

? Brake line is off and bolts? Most stick first round do as Hammer said or do give a whack with a hammer they come out. When lubing backing plate just put a smear of brake grease there, brake line under flare nuts - everything else of course. You expect to toss it so shouldn't worry to much about the cylinder itself. NOBODY JB WELDED IT IN that's common,


T



samspam
New User

Apr 28, 2019, 12:13 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2405 views)
  post locked   Re: Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate  

Thanks for the tip. I tried prying it with a screw driver and a pry bar but to no avail. I finally resorted to putting a nail punch in one of the wheel cylinder's bolt holes and tapped it with a hammer. The was so much rust!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 28, 2019, 12:38 PM

Post #5 of 7 (2396 views)
  post locked   Re: Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate  

? OK, that much rust but brake line came out AND bolts came out? You can't be hitting or prying it just right. If the cylinder and plate are just crumbling rust OMG that's got to go. Inside of a drum is somewhat protected from the killer rock salts if this is or was exposed or worse dunked/flooded but line's flare nuts almost never cooperate??
Make sure the line is free you should be able to turn flare nut by hand. Use PB or good penetrating oil just don't let that get inside an open brake line. Line will stay put there's some give you'll need for the new cylinder a must by now.
Really - hammer it, it's junk anyway. Down but not the top anchor bolt at all leave that alone. About now all this stuff is going for new not normally backing plate but if so that goes too. No turning back get the thing off and clean the hole with a file/sandpaper so new one can jockey around to match up to the brake line.
If this is way out of your league the default is send it out now would take a tow,


T



samspam
New User

May 3, 2019, 6:01 AM

Post #6 of 7 (2308 views)
  post locked   Re: Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate  

Yeah once I hammered out the wheel cylinder the way you suggested, I scrubbed the backing plate with a wire brush and brake cleaner. Looks much better now and there's no rust/corrosion to be seen! I replaced the wheel cylinder with a new one and every thing looks great. Than you both for the advice.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 3, 2019, 7:09 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2300 views)
  post locked   Re: Rear drum wheel cylinder stuck on backing plate  

Sounds good will close this as fixed can be opened by any moderator:
Just adding: Prevent this with vehicles you keep by a way works for me, customers I expect to see later too:
Lube known trouble spots this case a drum from the back now together again or a smear inside of where wheel cylinder goes of silicone grease - smear I said.
Other problem areas abound. Hubs to drums, push on rotors, wheels that are real tight to a hub. Very carefully now a drop of an oil only on threads of studs to lug nuts not needed nor suggested unless you do not move wheels around routinely. Stuck hard those snap off with nut - PITA big time for some and $$.


Flare nuts to brake and fuel lines while in place now. Lines with those rust to inside of the nut not the threads will twist up any of those ruin a whole weekend! Some trans. cooling lines both ends too. Use spray white lithium grease is not super rubber friendly say away especially brake rubber parts. Lube any exposed threaded adjustments for parking cables, shifter pivots to transmissions if exposed.
Don't stop: Lube hood release parts! OMG what a PITA when those snap with a shut hood! Every hinge and latch doors, hood, trunks. About anything the moves if you keep a vehicle. Clean lube is WD-40 at least can wash that off for interior things.


I live in this and always have. This crap takes more time than a job needed way too many times. Some latches and hinges the parts are welded once. Lots of luck on some that total body work for a $5 pin!
Nobody does this stuff some is done when new thick greases good for about the new car warranty than this crap.


Oh - add to that some wiper arms that attach to I call a star-thing if those are rot welded screw another weekend maybe lots more! Just a smear back to the silicone.


That stupid stuff is actually easy to prevent so jobs are rountine not a nightmare all the time if you do it or another it will just help OR the next owner would love it!


Tom







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