Brake Adjustment

At the bottom of the picture in that recess is there a slotted hole in there? Also, on the left side of the picture about halfway up, is that a kind of stud with a nut on it?

 

No, don't take it off, that's the adjustment. Those are the 9" brakes and you adjust the shoes individually. Can you also take a picture of the end of the axle showing the drum also?

 

Are there 3 slotted head screws through the drum from the outside? I can't tell if they are there but if so they are holding the drum to the hub. That's the first step. Second step is loosening the adjusters. Hold the stud and loosen the nut just enough to be able to turn the stud. Both of the studs should be turned towards the axle housing, meaning front one clockwise and the rear one counter clockwise.

 

I just realized you said left wheel cylinder. The clockwise and counter clockwise is opposite on that side. I thought I originally read right side.

 

If the screws are there they of course need to come off.

 

Those might not be screws....can you see any slot or a philips head design on them? Usually the holes have a tapered edge for a flat head screw to tighten down on. Can you get the drum to move at all now?

 

There might not be anything in there but a bit of dirt buildup?

 

It's fine to loosen the adjusters more if necessary to back the shoes off enough to get the drum to come off or at least start wiggling.

 

If you can rotate it as you mentioned then the shoes might be backed off enough already. You can start by tapping on the flat part of the drum in case a bit of rust, dirt, whatever might be holding the drum against the hub. You don't want to hit it too hard and damage the drum. Grab the drum and pull/wiggle it if possible. I would also re-read the posts on the first page looking for tips about what to do.

 

I kept looking at it but was on the fence....I do agree they look that way. I've only had the ones with screws holding them down.