How to Check Rear Brakes??

I have a 2000 Montanna with 42000 miles. The rear brakes seem to be getting more and more noisy. They always ground the first few stops when cold, but its taking several stops for the grinding noise to subside and even then, its still faint. I want to pull the drums off and take a look at everything. I normally do my own brake jobs, but in a past tire rotation I couldn't get the drum off with simple prying. I was expecting a drum that could be worked off when the tire was removed, but it doesn't appear to be that easy. Anyone removed their rear drums? Any advice?

Thanks,
Keith

Cmon...Anyone??

Keith

Big hammer, hit the outside face while turning drum. Make sure little clips around two studs are off.

Thank you.

Keith

Keith.......Was wondering if you got around to inspecting the rear brakes?
Did you find what was causing the grinding noise?

Our rear brakes are making the same noise with the first few stops, then it almost goes away.

Let me know
Thanks
Davey Carpet

I haven't got to them yet. However, I can tell you our van has always made a grinding noise the first few stops, ever since it was new. Lately its been grinding the first several stops. However, now its back to normal, grinding only first couple of stops. I plan to pull the rear brake drums off soon just to have a look though. The dealer said it was normal for them to grind on the first few stops when we inquired.

Keith

Get a can of brake cleaner, clean the rear brakes and adjust them up. It is normal to hear some grinding on the first few stops in the morning.

there should be an adjuster under a plastic cap (little hole around the back of the drum plugged with this cap) that you can stick two screw drivers in and rotate the adjuster to shrink in the brakes. This will allow you to take the drum off without a hammer or blow torch. When you put the drum back on, adjust the pads out so that they just start to rub on the drum when rotated. Also, if u're replacing the brakes, don't do just the pads, buy the complete rebuild kit including new springs. If you don't have the manual, take a digital picture of the spring layout when you first take it apart so you know where they all go.

Well, I finally checked them today. with 50k miles of mixed city/highway, they looked great. At least 50% there. 1/8" from rivets at least. A big hammer was all it took. I have a dead blow hammer and it worked great. I hit opposing sides of the drum until it started rocking. Once it rocked I used a punch to work the drum off, hitting the back side of the drum. Quite easy afterall.

Keith