Rear Drum Removal - What's the trick?!?!?!?!?!

[CUDA JAS]

Ok, So I know I have to back of the self-adjuster to get the rear drum off..but I cannot seem to get the thing to move!!

What is the trick to moving the damn little locking arm (or what ever it is called)? 

HELP please!!!!!

[dodj]

I move it off the adjuster 'star' wheel with a small flat blade screwdriver, then use another screwdriver to turn the wheel.

[CHL2T]

  Yep, it's a two flathead screwdriver job along with a lot of patience, poke one into one of the holes and feel for either the arm or the star, once you find one, the other is easy,
 good luck

[Topcat]

Sometimes the drums get a lip on the outer edge and don't want to let go. I used to do brake jobs alot and ran into this problem. Get creative with a couple of screwdrivers once the star adjuster is backed off completely.

Think of it like getting a paint lid can top off but doing it so that it comes off evenly without one edge more than the opposite side.

Try this. 
One side begins to come up at 12 o'clock, Go to about 4 o'clock and do a  little. Then 8 o'clock. then back to 12 o'clock. Repeat in gradual amounts of it coming off. 

[CUDA JAS]

Thanks guys.

I can find the star wheel, but I can not seem to find the arm.  Oh well, I will give it another shot this weekend!!

Jason

[dodj]

It should be just on the back side of the star. With your screwdriver beside the star wheel, just move it in until it contacts the plate. Should hit it within a 1/2" or so. Push a little harder and it should move off the star wheel.

[Chryco Psycho]

you have 2 holes to work through , with a small flashlight you should be able to get enough light in there to see the star wheel , , you need to rotate the star wheel down

[hooD]

This is your goal

[Aussie Challenger]

Good pic Hood, I have also seen where the self adjuster has been removed and the lower spring holding the adjuster into the shoes at the bottom has jammed the adjuster, this spring is missing in Hoods photo.