Rear Brake Drum Issue

[fawgygeezer]

Hi, I am doing front and back brakes on my 2017 Ram 1500 Sport Night Edition for the first time. About 55k miles. Front went fine had to spray with Kroil penetrating oil and bang with a hammer but rotor did come off. On the back I can get either rotor off. sprayed with Kroil oil, hit with hammer and turned the star piece to release the parking brakes on the back side of the rotors. Driver side turned down passenger side up. Also tried the bolt and nut method with a washer. Bent the bolt from torquing so hard and the end of the bolt flatened out so I had to cut it off. Any tips or suggestions greatly appreciated. Also I live in Minnesota so lots of rust from the salt.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Hi, I am doing front and back brakes on my 2017 Ram 1500 Sport Night Edition for the first time. About 55k miles. Front went fine had to spray with Kroil penetrating oil and bang with a hammer but rotor did come off. On the back I can get either rotor off. sprayed with Kroil oil, hit with hammer and turned the star piece to release the parking brakes on the back side of the rotors. Driver side turned down passenger side up. Also tried the bolt and nut method with a washer. Bent the bolt from torquing so hard and the end of the bolt flatened out so I had to cut it off. Any tips or suggestions greatly appreciated. Also I live in Minnesota so lots of rust from the salt.

You have a classic, not a 5th gen. Try loosening the parking brake star screw further. Also, not sure if it's the same on 4th gens, but make sure you have the takes in service mode

 

[fawgygeezer]

You have a classic, not a 5th gen. Try loosening the parking brake star screw further. Also, not sure if it's the same on 4th gens, but make sure you have the takes in service mode

Takes in service mode? Brakes in service mode? How? Thanks.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Takes in service mode? Brakes in service mode? How? Thanks.

Like I said, not sure if the 4th gens need it. It's because of electric parking brake.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Takes in service mode? Brakes in service mode? How? Thanks.

Looks like you have the old fashioned cable setup.
The 5th gen uses an electric actuator for the parking brake and if not placed in service mode it will extend all the way and mess up the caliber.

 

[fawgygeezer]

Looks like you have the old fashioned cable setup.
The 5th gen uses an electric actuator for the parking brake and if not placed in service mode it will extend all the way and mess up the caliber.

I know I'm in the wrong forums but thanks for the answers. Any idea how many times the star wheel needs to turn? I've turned it enough that I can freely spin rotor/axle.

 

[kapinallinen2]

I know I'm in the wrong forums but thanks for the answers. Any idea how many times the star wheel needs to turn? I've turned it enough that I can freely spin rotor/axle.

I would turn it till it did not turn any more, backing out the adjuster all the way. Your drums have most likely worn down quite a bit creating a shoulder that is hanging up on the shoes.
Just to clarify, do the drums move in and out at all or are they stuck to the axle? If stuck to the axle, then more Kroil, hammer and heat.

he lives in the rust belt.

 

[Eighty]

Moved to 4th Gen Rams forum.

 

[koren388]

I had the same fight on my Silverado. What finally worked was soaking it overnight with PB Blaster (Kroil is good too), then hitting the rotor hat all around with a decent sized hammer while keeping a little tension with the bolts. Also, make sure the parking brake shoes are backed off enough - sometimes they still catch even if you think they’re loose. Worst case, a little heat with a torch around the hub can help break the rust bond.

 

[fawgygeezer]

I would turn it till it did not turn any more, backing out the adjuster all the way. Your drums have most likely worn down quite a bit creating a shoulder that is hanging up on the shoes.
Just to clarify, do the drums move in and out at all or are they stuck to the axle? If stuck to the axle, then more Kroil, hammer and heat.

he lives in the rust belt.

Drums on both sides wiggle a little.