I can't figure out how to get the brake drums off of the rear axle on my 1940 plymouth. feels like they are still attached to the hub and are not hung up on the shoes

Symptom: Brake Pedal Pulsates Change When: Braking Change Where: Passenger Compartment Change -->
Priority Action Part Type Cause 1 Inspect Brake Drum Specs Brake Drum Out of Adjustment, Out of Round, or Cracked. 2 Inspect Brake Drum Unevenly Worn or Out of Round Brake Drum(s). 3 Inspect Brake Rotor Incorrectly Machined Brake Rotor. 4 Inspect Wheel Bearing-Front Incorrectly Tightened or Installed Wheel Bearing. 5 Inspect Wheel Bearing-Rear Incorrectly Tightened or Installed Wheel Bearing. 6 Inspect Wheel Nut Loose, Worn, or Damaged Wheel Nut(s). 7 Inspect Rear Axle Bent Rear Axle.

The above directions are WRONG!!!

The rear drums on a 1950 Plymouth are held in place by a large nut and a taper on the axle. Therefore after removing the axle nut you will need a drum puller to get the drum off of the axle. Do not try to use a finger style gear puller, you will not be able to get the fingers behind the drum.

are you sure that the hub is separate to to the drum
mostly with fully floating axles the hub and drum are one piece
that means that you have to remove the axle ( 8 studs )
pull then axle
then undo the axle nuts in the hub and then the hub and drum will come off

Light Duty Models

1. Raise the vehicle so that the wheel to be worked on is clear of the floor and install jackstands under the vehicle.
   
2. Remove the wheel. Remove the three retaining nuts and remove the brake drum. It may be necessary to back off the brake shoe adjustment in order to remove the brake drum. This is because the drum might be grooved or worn from being in service for an extended period of time.
   
3. Before installing a new brake drum, be sure to remove any protective coating with brake cleaner or a suitable fast-drying degreaser.
   
4. Install the brake drum in the reverse order of removal and adjust the brakes.
   

Heavy Duty

1. Raise the vehicle and install jackstands.
   
2. Remove the wheel. Loosen the rear brake shoe adjustment.
   
3. Remove the rear axle retaining bolts and lockwashers, axle shaft, and gasket.
   
4. Remove the wheel bearing locknut, lockwasher, and adjusting nut.
   
5. Remove the hub and drum assembly from the axle.
   
6. Remove the brake drum-to-hub retaining screws, bolts or bolts and nut. Remove the brake drum from the hub.
   

To install:

1. Place the drum on the hub and attach it to the hub with the attaching nuts and bolts.
   
2. Place the hub and drum assembly on the axle and start the adjusting nut.
   
3. Adjust the wheel bearing nut and install the wheel bearing lockwasher and locknut.
   
4. Install the axle shaft with a new gasket and install the axle retaining bolts and lockwashers.
   
5. Install the wheel and adjust the brake shoes. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.
   

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this 1993 voyagers rear brake durms are two pieces, make sure there are no lock clips over the studs which i dont think there are on this 1993, these drums sometimes are tough to remove off the hub, spray wd 40 around the hub and take a hammer and hit drum in area where the studs are, no hit studs, you will need to turn and hit, hit it hard so it breaks free, you will see it break loose from hub,i have had some that i haf to remove the center hub nut and bearing to remove the drum, then with drum and hub off spindle i then removed the drum from hub, hope this helps.

According to AutoZone, if you have the full floating axles they have to come off to get the drum off. The semi-floating axles are easier--if you have those you just need to back off the adjuster as I explained. Reach a thin screwdriver into the hole in the back above the axle. It might have a cap over it or a "punch out." You need to turn the star (slightly visible in attached pic) in I think the up direction several turns to get past the lip in the drum. It will resist turning as it ratchets in the opposite direction. You should be able to tell if you're going the right direction as the drum should get looser.




Removal & Installation

Full Floating Axles
To remove the drums from full floating rear axles, the axle shaft will have to be removed. Full-floating rear axles can be identified by a bearing housing that protrudes through the center of the wheel.

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Wheel Axle shaft Retaining ring, key and adjusting nut Hub and drum
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   Hub and drum to the tube Adjusting nut Key and retaining ring Axle shaft and wheel
   

Semi-Floating Axles

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Mark the relationship of the wheel to the hub and remove the wheel.
3. Mark the relationship of the drum to the hub and pull the drum from the brake assembly. If the brake drums have been scored from worn linings, the brake adjuster must be backed off so the brake shoes will retract from the drum. The adjuster can be backed off by inserting a brake adjusting tool through the access hole provided. In some cases the access hole is provided in the brake drum. A metal cover plate is over the hole. This may be removed by using a hammer and chisel.
   
   Fig. Exploded view of the brake drum
   

To install:

1. Align the mark on the drum to mark on hub and install drum
2. Align the mark on the wheel to mark on drum and install wheel
3. Adjust brake lining as needed. Pump brakes

the bearing has 4 bolts holding it on the inner side facing the axle. remove the wheel and brakes to get access to it

Sounds like the rear EMERGENCY brakes are binding or your ABS is kicking in.

The E brakes are inside the hub of the rear rotors. You have to separate the rear rotor from the axle hub as the E brakes work like drum brakes. The debris will set off the ABS and bind the rear wheels. Many brake shops and dealers just look at the calipers and pads and do not inspect the E brake.

don't have topaz. maybe escort will help guide you.

Section 04-02: Suspension and Wheel Hubs, Rear 1996 Escort, Tracer Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly NOTE: Wheel bearings are not serviceable and should therefore be replaced as an assembly with the wheel hub (1104).

Removal

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
   

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
   

1. Remove the hub grease cap (1131) from the wheel hub.
   

1. If equipped with disc brakes, remove the rear disc brake caliper (2552) and rear disc brake rotor (2C026). Refer to Section 06-04 for the removal procedure.
   

1. If equipped with drum brakes, remove the two brake drum screws and the brake drum (1126).
   

1. Unstake the rear axle wheel hub retainer (4B477) securing the wheel hub to the rear wheel spindle (4A013). Remove and discard the rear axle wheel hub retainer.
   
2. Remove the wheel hub from the rear wheel spindle.

front or rear?

Assuming rear, on the brake drum:

Hub Removal

1. If equipped, remove the brake drum (1126) ; refer to Section 206-02 . If equipped, remove the rear disc brake rotor (2C026) ; refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Remove the wheel hub.
   1. Unstake the rear axle wheel hub retainer.
   1. Remove the rear axle wheel hub retainer and discard.
   1. Remove the wheel hub (1104).