Brake Drum - Rear

This procedure covers removal and installation of the rear brake drums on a 2007 Ram 3500 with 5.9L Cummins diesel engine, including inspection of brake hardware and wheel bearing adjustment verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake drum (if worn beyond service limit) × 2 — Mopar 52009893AA or equivalent
• Wheel bearing seal (if damaged during service) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Cotter pin for axle nut × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• DOT 3 brake fluid (for bleeding if system opened) — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on firm, level surface and place transmission in Park (automatic) or 1st gear (manual)
2. Set parking brake firmly and place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Gather all tools and parts before beginning work
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is still on ground (lug nuts are typically 9/16 inch or 22mm)
5. Lift rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear differential or frame-mounted lift points
6. Position jack stands under rear axle tubes near wheel ends or frame rails according to manufacturer specifications
7. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability by gently rocking vehicle
8. Remove rear wheel lug nuts completely and remove wheels
9. Spray penetrating oil around drum hub center and along drum edge where it meets backing plate, allow to soak 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Release parking brake and prepare drum for removal
   Release the parking brake lever or pedal inside the cab. This will retract the parking brake cable and reduce tension on the rear brake shoes, making drum removal easier. Verify the parking brake is fully released.
2. 2

   Remove axle nut and washer
   This is a full-floating rear axle (AAM 11.5"). First remove the axle shaft retaining bolts and slide the axle shaft out. Then remove the wheel hub/bearing retainer using the correct spanner nut socket and the axle nut lock/retainer per the service manual before the drum can come off. Keep these components clean and inspect the nut for damage. The nut may be quite tight; use a breaker bar if necessary. Note the orientation of the washer for reassembly.
3. 3

   Remove brake drum
   After the axle shaft and hub retention are removed per the service manual, the drum can be separated from the hub assembly. If drum is stuck due to rust or worn brake shoes creating a lip inside the drum: 1) Use a rubber mallet to tap around the outer edge of the drum, alternating sides to break the rust bond. 2) If drum still won't release, locate the two threaded holes in the drum face and thread in appropriately sized bolts (typically 3/8-16 or M10) to push the drum off the hub evenly. 3) As a last resort, carefully use a pry bar between the backing plate and drum edge, being careful not to damage the backing plate or wheel studs. Work the drum back and forth while pulling outward.
4. 4

   Inspect brake components and drum interior
   With drum removed, spray brake cleaner on all components and wipe clean with rags. Inspect brake shoes for remaining lining thickness (minimum 1/16 inch above rivets), cracks, oil contamination, or uneven wear. Check wheel cylinder for fluid leaks at dust boots. Inspect all return springs and hold-down springs for damage or corrosion. Measure the drum inside diameter with a drum micrometer or gauge. Maximum drum diameter is typically cast into the drum outer edge. Common limit is 12.125 inches for this vehicle, but verify on your specific drum. Check for cracks, hard spots (heat discoloration), or scoring deeper than 0.060 inch.
5. 5

   Inspect wheel bearing and seal
   Inspect the hub bearing assembly for roughness, play, or leaking. On this full-floating axle the bearings are within the hub and are serviced as part of the hub assembly. Look for pitting, scoring, discoloration from heat, or lack of grease. Spin the bearing by hand - it should rotate smoothly without roughness or binding. Check the grease seal on the backing plate for damage, tears, or leaking. If the bearing or seal show any damage, they must be replaced. Wipe excess grease from the bearing and pack with fresh wheel bearing grease if bearing is being reused.
6. 6

   Clean and prepare drum for installation
   If reusing the drum, clean the inner braking surface thoroughly with brake cleaner and wipe dry. Use a wire brush to clean rust and corrosion from the drum mounting surface (the area that contacts the hub). Clean the hub mounting surface on the axle as well. If the drum was machined or a new drum is being installed, ensure all machining oils or protective coatings are removed from the braking surface using brake cleaner. Apply a very light coat of anti-seize compound to the hub mounting surface and center pilot hole to prevent future rust seizure.
7. 7

   Adjust brake shoes (if applicable)
   Before reinstalling the drum, ensure brake shoes are adjusted close to final specification. If you removed the drum only for inspection and no brake work was performed, shoes should still be properly adjusted. If any brake work was done, use the star wheel adjuster through the access hole in the backing plate to expand the shoes until they nearly contact the drum when test-fitting. The drum should slide over the shoes with only very slight drag. Final adjustment will be done after drum installation.
8. 8

   Reinstall brake drum
   Carefully slide the brake drum over the wheel studs and onto the axle hub, ensuring the outer wheel bearing (if removed for service) is properly seated in the drum. The drum should slide on smoothly without forcing. If resistance is felt, do not force it - the brake shoes may need further adjustment inward using the adjuster star wheel. Ensure the drum is fully seated against the hub face.
9. 9

   Install and adjust wheel bearing
   Adjust the hub bearing using the manufacturer's spanner adjuster nut procedure for the full-floating axle: torque the adjuster nut to the spec to seat the bearing, back off, then re-torque to final spec and install the lock ring/retainer. Verify wheel bearing end play is within manufacturer specification. 4) The drum should rotate freely with slight bearing endplay detectable (0.001-0.003 inch). 5) Install a new cotter pin through the axle nut and bend the ends to secure.
10. 10

    Perform final brake adjustment
    With the drum installed, locate the brake adjuster access hole in the backing plate (usually covered by a rubber plug). Using a brake spoon or flat screwdriver, rotate the adjuster star wheel to expand the brake shoes until the drum will not rotate. Then back off the adjuster 8-10 clicks until the drum rotates freely with no drag. Repeat this process for the other side. Both sides should have equal adjustment.
11. 11

    Repeat process for opposite side
    Perform all the above steps (2-10) for the opposite rear wheel. Ensure both sides receive the same service and attention. Brake adjustment should be equal side-to-side for proper brake balance.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Install the rear wheels onto the wheel studs, ensuring the wheel mounting surface is clean. Thread on all lug nuts by hand, then tighten in a star pattern to snug. Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to unload the jack stands, remove the stands, and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the wheels, torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer specification (approximately 145 ft-lbs for this truck) in a star pattern using a torque wrench.

Reassembly

1. Torque all wheel lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs in a star pattern after vehicle is on the ground
2. Verify both axle nuts have new cotter pins properly installed and bent
3. Double-check that no tools or parts were left in the wheel well area
4. Remove wheel chocks from front wheels

Verification

• Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal several times to verify firm pedal feel (it should not sink to the floor)
• Start the engine and test the parking brake on an incline to ensure it holds the vehicle
• Perform a low-speed test drive in a safe area (parking lot) and verify brake operation with gentle stops from 5-10 mph
• Check for pulling to one side, unusual noises, or vibration during braking
• Perform several moderate stops from 25-30 mph to seat the brake shoes to the drums (normal bedding process)
• After 50-100 miles of driving, recheck wheel lug nut torque and verify drums rotate freely without binding
• Listen for any scraping, grinding, or unusual brake noise during normal driving
• Verify brake pedal height and feel remain normal after several stops
• If any abnormalities are detected, stop driving immediately and inspect the brake system

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