2000 focus rear drum removal?

[lunchbox]

I have a 2000 focus and I cant get the rear drums off, are there any tricks? should the drum just slide off or do i have to remove the spindle?

[AllRedEInUse21]

i know they just dont slide off, but thats my only input, sorry.

[Phillip]

Can we assume you removed the spindle nut?

[ax0n]

you can cheat and remove the whole spindle...

This article shows some info on taking apart the drums the easier way:

http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=48

[FireStorm]

If you have the right tools, removing the spindle nut is a lot less hassle.

Assuming you removed the spindle nut, is it just not coming off? Does it feel like it moves a little but then sticks?

I had that happen when I lost one of the pins on the bottom of a brake shoe. A REAL pain to remove (took 45 minutes to pry the drum off).

If THAT is the case, follow ax0n's advice. It takes longer, but that definately works. (plus you have to dealing with bleeding the brake lines, which can be a hassle).

[lunchbox]

I have not removed the spindle nut because every other car I have ever worked on the drum just slid off. I know what I need to do now and I have all tools needed to do it.

thanks guys

[carbonbullet]

Slightly off topic, but could someone tell me the size socket needed to remove the rear spindle nut? I wanted to check my drums for wear, but didn't have a big enough socket to get the nut off...does it really need to be changed out after every 3 or 4 uses?

[nilo]

I wouldn't recommend removing the spindle nut unless you have a big ass torque wrench something like 280 ft-lb if I rember correctly. If you have already removed the four nuts in the back side of drum and it will still not come off, then makes sure your e-brake is off and take two pry bars and wedge them in opposite side if each other ans slowly force the drum out. Works every time.

[MARKY B]

According to the factory manual I have for my 2000 Focus, you need to remove the drum with the spindle attached. For Foci equipped with ABS, you need to remove the ABS sensor from the spindle before you unbolt it. You might be better off disconnecting the sensor wire from the harness (trace it out from the spindle and you should see the connector) as it is very easy to brek the screw off while trying to remove it. If you do get the attaching screw out unscated, I would strongly recommend using anti-seize on the screw threads.

It is possible to remove the drum without removing the spindle. You should make sure the drum turnsfreely (ie: the brakes aren't dragging due to improper parking brake adjust ment, etc). You should use a brake drum puller (or pry it off) to remove the drum from the spindle.

[glowin3232]

Originally Posted by carbonbullet

Slightly off topic, but could someone tell me the size socket needed to remove the rear spindle nut? I wanted to check my drums for wear, but didn't have a big enough socket to get the nut off...does it really need to be changed out after every 3 or 4 uses?

Rear axle nut is 29mm, and yes the nuts should only be used 3-4 times. Did you buy the car new? If not, I would replace them if I were you. There is no way to know how many times the previous owner(s) had the rear axle nuts off the car. The nuts cost about $8 a piece at the Ford dealership.

[brads03zx3]

Remove the 4 bolts on the backside. The drum will slide off with the spindle/wheel bearing. Make sure the parking brake is not engaged. Leave the spindle nut attached for reasons already stated.

[Comatose]

On my 2000 focus, there's no way that I can remove the rear bolts holding on the spindle. The bolts are rusted to heck and the heads are not that tall so I can't get a socket to engage them effectively.

That said, the last time I tried to take my drums off by removing the spindle nut, the inner part of the wheel bearing had seized onto the spindle and I tore the bearing apart pulling the drum off.

Drum brakes are a pain no matter what. The only thing positive thing about them is that I'm still using the same drums after 220,000 kms.

[screwdiver]

I have to change my rear brakes. I've attempted it 4 times already, I got 2 bolts off the backside and managed to round off one and the other one won't budge. I'll try again when my back heals. I found if you use a long extension you can get to the 13mm bolts easily, you just need to apply pressure. Try penetrating lube and also use sockets that grab the side not the corners or you'll round off the corners like I did.

[Flofocus]

Had teh same problem. Finished one side, and couldnt get the other off. Not even my hub remover would get it off, and I had my 250 pound muscular freind help me out...lol...still a no go. Brought it in to the dealership and they had to use the torch, that resulted in a new bearing