Classic/Antique Car Repair: rear brake drums 1951 chevy 1 ton, hex head bolts, rear brake drums

Question
QUESTION: The rear brakes are locked up on my 1951 Chevy 3800 series, and I don't know how to remove them. Can you tell me how they come off? Also I would like to thank Mr Sears for the advice I got off of his tv show on hoe to adjust brakes on a semi trailer so they brake straight. His advice kept me from hitting a kid on a moped who blew a stop sign and passed about 8ft in front of me when I was loaded and doing about 50. Your advice on adjusting the brakes caused the truck to break straight and fast, and caused me to miss the kid Thank you for your Great advice, and for stopping a terrible accident. I would not have wanted to have had his death on my conscience. Thanks again Phil.

ANSWER: When you remove the hub cap and look at the end of the axle shaft is there a circle of bolts or nut beside the lug nuts? Let me know.
Brad


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If you are talking about in the center of the axil yes there are about 6 or 8 1/2 or 9/16 hex head bolts. Does this answer your question? Phil.

Answer
OK then this truck has a full floating heavy duty rear axle. You will need to remove these bolts. There should be two threaded bolt holes in it. Run a bolt into each of these holes once the circle of bolts is removed and tighten them evenly. They will work the axle loose so that you can pull it out. Then the the wheel bearing lock nuts can be accessed and removed. The lock nuts have a lock tab that needs to be bent over to allow the wheel bearing nuts to be removed. There are two nuts back to back on each drum. Once this is done then the drums and hubs should slide off.
Brad