89 Mazda Drum brakes...AAAUUUGGGHHHH!!! (to borrow from Charlie Brown...)
 

Crossing due to the number of knowledgable people 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?