Pontiac Repair: rear brake drum, rust ridge, pontiac sunfire

Question
I have a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire. When I first start driving my car, when I break the rear tires make a loud squaling noise. My wife's step dad supposably replaced the rear breaks less then a year ago, and even a week later they still squaled. Recently I tried to break clean them to see if that would help, but I could not get the rear right brake drum off. Also when I tried to spin it, it would spin fine about half way, then get stuck. It took quite a bit of force to finish spinning it past that point. Any pointers on how to get the break drum off without the breaks shooting out at me. Also would it be more likely that its the drum giving me the problems, or the breaks themselves?

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Will:

this is a common problem with these cars. Cheap brake shoes will cause that issue. You could have an issue where you have a wheel cylinder leaking brake fluid onto the shoes and it will have the same effect. depending on the year some of the newer model Sunfires there was aplug in the brak backing plate you could remove and back off the brake adjuster to get the drum off. bit it was only for a model year or 2. . I can't remember what years. the problem is a rust ridge develops on the drum and the shoes will not allow the drum to pull off. Ther is not easy way to get them off. A BIG whell puller will pull the drum off but it will break the retaining hardware that holds the shoes on so you will need a new spring kit for the brakes. As long as you can get the other side off you can see how it all goes together that way use the good side ans a map to put it back together. using a big puller will damage the drum as well. I suggest you get "good brake parts" from wither a NAPA store or a Carquest store and don't get their chepa parts get the premium parts and you will be all good. Good luck :)