Stuck brake drum

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Sep 21, 10 5:58 pm

I am trying to re-new rear drums. One side is stuck fast. I have backed the adjuster right off, it will not budge. The drum has compressed in on the side. Looks like the wheels have been over tightened! I think the centre bore hole has got stuck on the hub.

Any suggestions? I am soaking it in WD40, My puller is not large enough to get round the drum.

You can see the distortion around the studs.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Sep 21, 10 6:19 pm

I may be wrong, and stand to be corrected but I think they are not stuck fast.

They are "bolted on".

This is the early type axle whereby you need a specialised hub puller that bolts to the lug nuts, and you need to undo the cotter pin/nut.

This is why nobody services the rear drums on early cars and they change out the axle for a later type. By the way, the decent centre sections do not fit either due to different and non-interchangeable thrust block sizes.

Worth checking on Moparts tech sections.

Welcome to "early car" ownership

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Sep 21, 10 6:24 pm

Now I am confused, the other side came off OK.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Sep 21, 10 6:26 pm

Good news, I stand corrected.
More of the same on the other side then

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Sep 21, 10 6:40 pm

Here is the other side...

Philth · Post by **Philth** » Tue Sep 21, 10 6:41 pm

That sort of deformation don't look right, Jeff. I can't see how the wheel will sit nice and flat on that. Are the wheel studs flush with the half-shaft hub, i.e. not shouldered?

As for the remaining drum, have you tried a bit of heat on the centre, or even the two-hammer on either side of the drum approach (may risk warping!)? Just to be on the safe side you may want to wind a couple of wheel nuts on the studs by a few threads so the drum doesn't suddenly release and smack you in the face!

Philth · Post by **Philth** » Tue Sep 21, 10 6:42 pm

Too slow with me post! Blimus - those shoes look almost new, although the self-adjuster cable isn't around the quadrant.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Tue Sep 21, 10 7:14 pm

Will the drum turn Jeff, or is the whole lot solid? If the drum won't turn, you might need to undo the handbrake cable as well. If it will turn, clumping the drum on one side and then the other with a big hammer will normally wiggle it loose.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Sep 21, 10 7:27 pm

Yeah it turns fine Blue..... I will go find a big hammer!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Sep 21, 10 7:33 pm

If you are actually replacing the drums, then you know what to do

Safety glasses at the ready

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Sep 21, 10 7:36 pm

Grinder?

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Sep 21, 10 7:46 pm

Blue wrote:Will the drum turn Jeff, or is the whole lot solid? If the drum won't turn, you might need to undo the handbrake cable as well. If it will turn, clumping the drum on one side and then the other with a big hammer will normally wiggle it loose.

Well, in true Canadian style, I used the rear stock of my BIG old Axe! 4 whops and it was off. I had tried a hammer earlier.

Thanks Blue, now just need to get some hardware, and get it all back together.

Jeff