Anyone??
(just bringing it back to the top)

Release your emergency brake and try it. It'll go a lot easier.

Um, yeah....already checked and brake was not on.

Reach through the adjustment hole in the backing plate with a brake spoon and back them off, then.

Given this situation, your shoes have probably eaten into the drums and are obstructing its removal. Backing off on the adjust should make them easy to remove.

I check mine fairly frequently and they slide right off.

Mmm....if they have eaten into the drums, wouldn't that cause even more problems? Would the drum cover need to be replaced?

Uh Bob..

To my knowledge GM didn't give us an adjustment hole in the backing plate. I've looked on a couple different years... and it wasn't there.

Oops. Sorry, Bill, I just assumed they'd have the traditional hole.

I've had my rear drums off a few times to check the drums and shoes, but at 138K, they still don't look very worn. This pisses me off, as I bought new shoes and drums at 85k, figuring it was time.

There is a plug that can be removed for future adjustments, but it must be removed from the inside with the drum removed IIRC.

Support the contol arm with a jack, or jack stands, if you're not already. Sometimes, letting the wheels hang can partially apply the emergency brake by pulling on the cable. The drums can be a PITA to get off if it'* been a while, as rust builds up around the edge. Can you move the drum out at all? Many times it gets rusted to the hub. Lots of penetrating oil, a BFH (big frickin' (or other f word) hammer), and patience is needed.

I did have one side supported with the jack and it barely moved, maybe a 1/2 inch. I spent about 10 min hammering around the drum with a rubber mallet while trying to remove the drum in between a few swings.

What can I use penetrating oil on?

(It'* on my list of things to do this long weekend)