How to Remove a Stuck Drum on a Corolla

The brake drums on a Toyota Corolla are installed on the rear wheels, and they contain the brake shoe assemblies that work with the parking brake. You need to remove the brake drum to work on or change the brake shoes. The brake drums usually slip off; sometimes, however, the brake drum gets stuck and will not come off. There can be a number of reasons for this with a specific solution for each.

Things You'll Need

  • Floor jack
  • Jack stands
  • Tire iron
  • Paint or chalk
  • Cutting pliers
  • 2 small, flat screwdrivers
  • Raise the Corolla's rear end, support it on jack stands and remove the rear wheels with the tire iron to access the rear brake drums.

  • Inspect the front end of the brake drum and look for pressed washers on the wheels studs that are holding the drum in place. Cut off these washers with a pair of cutting pliers; you will not need to replace these washers after reinstalling the drum.

  • Check the parking brake lever inside the car. The parking brake must be completely released in order for the drum to come off.

  • Remove the rubber plug located on the rear end of the brake assembly's backing plate. This grants access to the adjuster star wheel on the brake assembly.

  • Insert a thin screwdriver into the hole in the backing plate to reach the adjuster wheel and push off the lever on the wheel. While holding down on the lever, use another screwdriver to turn the star wheel and retract the brake shoes.

  • Grasp the brake drum with both hands and pull it off the wheel studs.