For the '04... CANNOT get the drum apart for the life of me. We were trying to find the release pin through that little hole in the back of the assembly, but we couldnt get it to release. Tried everything. Is there some secret to getting them apart???

I have brand new "stoppers" I wanna put in!! I already did the front brakes (nightmare) but wasnt able to do the rear.

How many miles? You shouldn't need them until 80 to 100k.

There is nothing that holds on the drums but the wheels and lug nuts, like most drums, but they tend to fuse to the axle. Several hits, not too hard, with a hammer around the perimeter of the drum will usually loosen it. also, there are two threaded holes, I can't remember what size, that you can thread bolts into to pull the drum off.

Make sure your parking brake is off and the drum spin freely on the axle before starting.

heh, i've made that mistake before.... TWICE

I have the bolts for removing the rear drum cover. If I remember to do so tomorrow, I'll look up what size they are. I think I remember the size off the top of my head, but I might be wrong...

Yeh, we tried tapping it around the edges. And we knew of the bolt trick, but we couldnt find one in my garage that fit sooo.... no go. My truck is gonna need them sooner or later. I drive fast and brake hard. Got about 50k on her.

That coupled with the mud and crap from wheeling... just a comfort thing for me to get them changed soon I think.

I was searching online for this part and I forgot the size too and the seller is asking me what size I said I need to check the size first..

Not joking you need a big fu$$ing hammer and just bang on it really hard and it will knock loose. I had the same issue and spent a good hour on one side trying to get it off. I used a 3lb mini sledge. Dont worry about hitting too hard you wont break / damage it.

It sounds like you tried to release the tensioner in the back. If you could release it all the way do that and it will work better. There is a pin that slides up and down that locks the tentioner which has teeth on it. you need to spin the thing with the teeth in revers while holding the pin up off the teeth.

Like Romeo said, make sure that the parking brake is off (I've made that mistake twice on mine) and then get a big ass hammer (a sledge would do the trick) and whack the crud out of the drum a couple of times until it pops.

Make sure the e-brake adjuster is lose all the way then tap in your M8 x 1.25 bolts to get the drum off. The hammer will loosen that drum up a bit. I would recommend checking your e-brake cams prior to the evolution because they are notorious for seizing. Have fun with the springs....that spring tool at pep boys works well.

[quote="RomeoEJ"]Not joking you need a big fu$$ing hammer and just bang on it
thats the same way i get them of