How to Remove Tires and Brake Drum

Mechanic work is expensive. Fortunately, you can do many repairs and maintenance work yourself. If you ever have to work on the brakes, you'll need to remove the tire and brake drum. With a couple of tools, you can remove them yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Lift your car so you can work on it comfortably and safely. If you don't have a lift, use a jack, but make sure that you secure it properly and the vehicle is on a flat surface.

2. Remove the hubcap by inserting a screwdriver on the edge to pop it off. Take a lug wrench and loosen and remove the lug nuts. Remove the tire and keep all the lug nuts together so you don't lose them.

3. Break off the clips around the studs if you have a new vehicle. New cars normally have two clips around two of the studs on the drum. You'll need to remove these before you can remove the drum. Using a screwdriver, bend the clips back and break them off to release the drum. Don't worry about replacing them.

4. Take a hammer and hit the drum as hard as you can on the edge or shoulder. Don't be afraid to cause any damage as long as you hit it on the shoulder. The drum pops out, and all you have to do now is slide it off.

5. Follow the same procedure for removing the tire and brake drum on the other side.

Tips & Warnings

• Jack
• Lug wrench
• Screwdriver
• Hammer