If you have a Toyota Corolla, then you should understand that the brake drums have the brake shoe assemblies that function hand in hand with the parking brake. You will find them on the rear wheels. If you would like to change the brake shoes, you have to remove the brake drum first.

Generally, it is relatively easy to remove the brake drums. On some occasions, however, they may get stuck due to a variety of reasons. The following are the steps that will help you to remove a stuck drum.

1. Use a jack to raise the car’s rear end and use jack stands to support it in place. Never rely on the jack to support the car.
2. Use a tire iron to remove the wheels in order to reach the brake drums.
3. Check the brake drum’s front end carefully. Check for any pressed washers on wheel studs. Use cutting pliers to cut the washers, which you will not have to replace when you reinstall the drum.
4. Look inside your car to check the lever for the parking brake. The drum will only come off when the parking brake has been released completely.
5. Check the backing plate on the brake assembly. You will find a rubber plug on its rear end, which you need to remove in order to reach the adjuster star wheel located on the brake assembly.
6. The backing plate has a hole into which you will need to insert a slender screwdriver in order to reach the adjuster wheel. The wheel has a lever that you need to push off with the screwdriver.
7. Hold down the lever in place and take another screwdriver to retract the brake shoes by turning the star wheel.
8. Use both hands to hold the brake drum. Pull it gently off the wheel studs.

Before you remove the drum, use some paint or chalk to mark its position on the wheel stud. If you do not install the drum at the same position, you will change the wheel’s dynamic balance.