If my memory serves me right, the whole drum/hub comes off after removing
the 17mm (or 19mm) nut, washer, & outer bearing. I do believe there's a
hole in the backing plate, just off center, on the upper middle, just above
the spindle mount. There should be a rubber plug covering the hole. The
plug is rather flat and easily missed. I used to use a 6" flat blade
screwdriver to back-off the adjuster. Had to do it by feel since I couldn't
see into the hole. Just felt for the adjuster teeth and rotated the
adjuster in the opposite direction.

I found the brake assemble pix in AllData and upped a copy, link below.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...rearbrakes.jpg



"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:n7Gdi.7397$jb5.1154@trndny09...
> Crossing due to the number of knowledgable people spread across these
> groups...
>
> Tried to do the brake shoes on my 89 Mazda 626 today...no go. Couldn't get
> the drum off (spent about 2 hours on one drum...)
>
> No hole to insert a bolt, no hole to adjust the adjuster; manual said
> "Insert screwdriver in hole and push spring retainer to release shoes."
> Absolutely fantastic, except there WAS NO HOLE! I even took the spindle
> nut off since the pics showed no spindle nut...un-uh. Nada. No pulling,
> pounding or prying would get the drum off.
>
> I finally got fed up and put the whole mess back together...
>
> Any hints?
>
>