New guy with 1970 f100 4x4 dumb brake question

[supersonictoys]

Hello everyone, this being my first post I figure I better start with a dumb question. I just bought an all original 1970 F100 4 speed 4x4 shortbed at a yard sale friday from the original owner. its actually a fairly nice truck but has been sitting for about 4 years and the brakes pull like CRAZY to the drivers side. I figure it has stuck pistons in the wheel cylinder but cant get the front drums to come off. don't these 1/2 ton drums just slip off or do I have to disassemble the whole 4x4 hub to remove the drum?? anyone with a trick on how to get these things off? thanks for any help

[averagef250]

Some have 2 or 3 flat head mchine screws holding the drum to the hub.

On a front axle with drums, you can always remove the locking hub and remove the spindle nuts to pull the drum and hub as one piece.

[knightfire83]

Yes the drums do come off the hubs. Although mine has 1975 running gear yours should be the same. I had a heck of a time getting mine to budge. The problem was rust- the cure was:

1. Use a wire wheel to remove as much rust as possible from the center hub area.
2. Soak the center area where the hub meets the drum with penetrating oil for a while.
3. Strike the center area of the drum where it meets the hub with a hammer to loosen up the rust there.
4. Use a propane or mapp gas torch the heat the drum around the hub (don't heat the hub itself)
5. Tap lightly around the outer edge of the drum to get it loosened up and it should slowly come off.

Don't go hitting the outside of the drum very hard or use a screwdriver to try and pry the drums off. If you do you will damage the drums by warping or chipping pieces off. That was my initial idea and it cost me $$ to replace a drum. Slow and steady are key here.

Below is a picture of the front hub area with the drum removed.

[samuri]

Hey Supersonic. I'm new myself here and just bought a 72 F250 4x4 with exactly the same problem, minus the pulling. My front drums won't come off to save my life and I have been soaking and beating them with a hammer for over a week now. Please let me know if you get yours off and send me a pic and some advice if you can. I got the passenger side a little loose tonight but it won't go over the hub. A friend of mine said it is a machined fit but it sould slide over. We'll see. Good Luck!!! Sam

[fordman]

it could also be that the shoes have worn into the drums and the shoes are catching on the rides of the out part of the drum and that is whats sticking the shoes to the drum. or not letting the drums move. back off the shoes from the adjustment hole and maybe the drums will come off then.

[averagef250]

I know for a fact the F250's have screws that hold the drums on, I don't know about the drum 1/2 ton 44's.

IF YOU CAN'T GET THE DRUMS OFF A FULL FLOATING REAR OR FRONT AXLE PULL THE WHOLE HUB OFF!!!! It takes a minute to remove the spindle nuts and it all comes apart. If you don't have the spindle nut socket for your truck you shouldn't be touching the brakes.

[samuri]

Thanks for the advice. I removed the three screws holding the drums on and backed off the adjusters all the way. Looks like the only thing left is to go buy a spindle nut socket and take the hub off. Will let you guys know what happens after this weekend.

[broncbuster500]

Re: "I know for a fact the F250's have screws that hold the drums on, I don't know about the drum 1/2 ton 44's."

I have a '67 f-100 that the brake drums just slide off (after getting past the rust) and I tried doing the same thing on a '71 f-250 I just bought, but it is not working... It was very rusty (broke a couple of studs trying to get the lug nuts off) so I figured it was just rusted on there... So you say I need to take the bolts off in the center? Do I need to take the whole axe shaft out, or will it be obvious once I get the bolts off?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Jed

[fordman]

i was reading up on the front d44 to get the drum off you pull the center hub and drum as one piece. that is the idea i got from the book. it maybe that i have a newer d44 under my front though. i have the newer open knuckle d44 from a 74 under my truck.