I'm sure this is a common problem. I'm trying to inspect my rear drum brakes, and I can't get the stupid drums unstuck. They are rusted in place - no movement at all. Am I supposed to hammer on them? I have been, but I don't want to bend the things. Maybe hit them harder? Any other bright ideas?

Yeah, I got it. I just had to beat on it. Didn't want to hurt my baby, you know? It'* awfully dusty in there, is that normal? Aside from that, everything looks ok.

The reason that I wanted to take a look at the brakes in the first place, is that sometimes when I accelerate from a dead stop, it sounds like the rear brakes aren't springing back from the drum. It'* a kind of sticky-clunk sound, very hard to describe.

I know the sound. Probably a hub or strut. It could still be the brakes. How'd the cylinders look? How much rust on the springs and guides?

I like to use a rubber mallet on the drums to loosen them up and get them off.

Is there a common problem w/the rear brakes on these yr Bonnes?
I constantly have problems w/my rear brakes and I chewed a brand new drum up. The Bonne I ran into in the j/y also had rear brake problems.

The brakes are all rusted to heck. It looks like the springs are still free, but the racheting self-adjusters are stuck. All of the pivot points are sticky, to say the least. The cylinders and drums themselves looked okay. For the time being, I just emptied/brushed a ton of brake dust out of them. I'll wait to mess with them any more until I know what the heck i'm doing. :? I really need to get me a service manual.

I had a hard time getting the second drum past the linings. I couldn't find any hole or star-wheel to turn to disengage the pads. Did I just miss it, or could I not have one?

As for the sound, I think I may have found it. Either that or another issue altogether. I think I might have a wheel bearing going out, passenger side rear. I'll do another post on that one though. :?