Group 8 - Brakes and Wheels
Front Drum Brakes
From 1975 to 1976 the Pacer had 10"x2 1/2 front and 9" x 1 1/2 rear manual drum brakes as standadard equipment, with front disc and 10" x 1 1/2 rear drums as optional, manual or power. Front drums are unfinned, composite, with a deep skirt.
NOTE: Anyone selling you a 9" front drum has the wrong part number, someone must have entered another vehicle's front drums and the error has propagated.
Part Numbers
- Raybestos 1510
- Raybestos 2506 *
- AC Delco 18B495
- Wagner BD60158
- BrakeBest 3502RGS
Removal
NOTE: The front drum is often held fast by the front wheel studs.
- Remove wheel and tire.
- Loosen the brake adjuster by inserting a stiff wire to push the self-adjuster away from the star wheel and pushing the wheel down with the adjusting tool.
- You may be able to loosen the drum with some firm hammer taps to the sides.
- If the hammer alone doesn't work, a little penetrating oil and then some heat from a propane torch on the drum around the studs may release the drum. These are brake parts, so even heat from a propane torch will not damage them.
- If the drum is still stuck, the best course of action is to remove the hub from the front spindle, which is quite easy to do. Be careful not to damage the spindle. Have a plastic bag to contain all loose bearing parts.
- Bring stuck drum to a shop with a press.
- Consider a disc brake conversion, usually around $500 for all parts needed. Drums are hard to come by.