Help with drums

So I go to move my truck and it won't budge. I mistakenly washed my truck yesterday. I knew the drums were frozen, I've managed to get the PS rear wheel moves but the DS is locked. Things I've tried:

Beating on the drum
Tapping on the back side
4Hi
4lo
Space heater
Praying and cursing


Should I just wait for the weather to warm up above 32 degrees or what?

 

Take the wheel off and get 2 M8 bolts and there is 2 threaded spots on the drum. Run 2 bolts in a little each time and it will pop that drum off the pads!

 

The one time I had this happen I just accelerated through it 5 feet, and they released like normal.

 

Take the wheel off and really heat the drum. Its a lot of iron will take time to warm up. Dont need it scorching hot just warm.

Also check the cable isnt frozen if you use the parking brake

 

When I did the drums on my 2nd Gen, the M8 bolts worked like a dream!

 

That sucks.

I don’t understand why some have issues with the drum brakes after washing their truck in freezing temps.

I rinse my truck pretty much everytime I drive on salty roads and never once had my drums seize up.

My drums never been opened/adjusted either, I should do it when weather warms up.

 

I would apply some direct heat to the drums where the shoes rest; a propane torch is ideal. You don't need to get things red hot, just get the metal good and hot to the touch. if that doesn't do it, you have bigger problems. The bolt method will work, but if the shoes are 'rust-welded' to the drums, you could damage stuff by forcing it.

 

Thank you guys for your help. I'm going to try the M8 bolt trick.

 

I only have 16000 miles on the truck. I really hope it's just the cold. But why would one side release and not the other?

 

Could the brake actuator be the issue?

 

No, it'll tear the shoes off the backing plate destroying the hardware in the process.

Those holes are to break the drum free from hub when rust has stuck them together.

don't do this.

If the heater got the drum above 32 degrees for any sort of period of time, we can assume it's not frozen (temperature).

2nd and 3rd gen have a screwy parking brake actuator mechanism that likes to hang up sometimes when it goes over center...which is shouldn't with only 16K miles worth of wear. I had my 2nd gen get stuck on a boat launch ramp and it was a pain in the ass, being by myself and it being a manual trans.

Keep doing what you're doing, eventually it'll work.

 

Did you try setting a releasing the parking brake? That could possibly be what froze.

 

Anyway it could be my e brake..

 

Just a thought, I know it's basically just a cable that goes back to the drum, or was on the 2nd Gen anyway. I haven't pulled apart the drums on my 3rd Gen yet.

 

Do you normally use your parking brake?

 

Yes but I never washed it then it dip below freezing last night. It's currently just 30 degrees here. When I get back I'll pull on the e brake cable, try a heat gun, and if I have to I'll use the M8 bolt method.

 

Just as a side note, when I pulled off the drum with the bolts it didn't damage any of the brake hardware inside, but that may be different for you depending on the ice situation/if there is ice built up inside of it.

 

If the drum turns and the shoes aren't stuck to it, it will come off. If the drum is stuck to the shoes for whatever reason...you'll be buying hardware.

 

How'd you get the passenger side freed up?

 

I banged on the drum and 4lo..