trying to replace shoes and hardware on my girlfriend's '96 civic dx.

couldn't figure out for the life of me how to get the drums off. prying, whacking, pulling.
took out the two rubber gaskets behind, trying to reach the self adjusting screw... impossible.

how is this done? it shouldn't be so damn hard...

thanks.

 

Screw in 2 scews into those holes and they will come off. I'm not sure what size the screws are but they are the size that almost every screw in your civic uses.. Anyone? And good luck replacing the shoes. I did mine for the first time without a book. I almost cried trying to keep the springs from popping off. All U really used was a screwdriver and a needle nose. I know the head size of the screws were 12mm though.

 

Drinch it in WD40 or PB blaster for a while (hour atleast) then take a hammer and beat the **** out of it side to side, then tap the lugs on the top. That should wiggle it enough that it falls off. Depending on the mileage and conditions the rust can make a seal that you need to break.

 

thanks fellas. i appreciate it. was wondering about those two holes.

i hope i didn't damage the housing already, was beating the **** out of it with crowbars, sledgehammers, etc... bent it a bit for sure.

thanks again,
b

 

With the 2 screws, you would have LAUGHED on how EASY that thing comes off. Once both screws are in, touching whatever is on the other side, slowly tighten each screw a TINY bit at a time evenly untill the drum pops off . I have a ton of these damn screws everywhere. I'd even say.. hell... just take off a front caliper screw (I did once) and use it for the drum. screw in the screw gently untill you feel it stop, then used a little force to screw it in some, take the screw out, put it in the other hole, and do the same. Repeat this untill it pops off. If I remember correctly I think there are 4 holes but I could be wrong. But if there are 4, you only want to put the screws in the holes that you can see through.

Remember, when you're tightening and feel like it hit a wall, from there, tighten more a LITTLE bit, then the other hole, back and forth.

EDIT: When you get both drums off, REMEMBER TO PUT THE SCREW BACK IN THE FRONT CALIPER!