The longer a brake drum is on a hub, the greater the chance it will stick when the time comes to remove it. Brake drums on the 2001 Ford Focus are no exception. As the brake drum wears from the contact with the brake shoe, a lip forms on the outer edge of the braking surface. This lip slides over the back side of the shoe, preventing you from removing the drum easily. By preparing for this potential eventuality ahead of time, you can save yourself some tremendous headaches when the time comes.
Chock the front wheels and put your safety glasses on.
Loosen the rear lug nuts with the lug wrench. Jack the rear end off the ground with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the rear frame. Lower the rear end onto the jack stands.
Remove the lug nuts and wheel by hand. Put the catch pan under the brake drum and spray brake clean inside the brake drum from the rear until the drippings are clear.
Loosen the brake shoe adjuster as far as possible with the brake shoe adjuster tool, which you can pick up at your local auto parts store.
Hit the face of the brake drum with the dead blow hammer just above the center of the drum's face. Rotate the drum a quarter turn and hit it again, just above the center of the drum's face. Repeat this twice more and then try to pull the drum off. If the drum does not come off, continue to hit it, rotate it and hit it again until you can pull the drum off the hub.
