Pulling brake drums

[Ron in Indiana]

I decided it was time to do the brakes on the 58 Crispy Critter truck yesterday. I pulled the front drums and shoes with no problems. They need turned of course and new wheel cylinders as well as shoes. I then had to tackle the rear axle which has the tapered axles shaft and drums. I used a two jawed puller and with a little heat plus a hammer it popped off. The right side was not as cooperative. Pieter and I tried everything but it's STUCK. I am now looking for a drum puller that bolts to the wheel studs and is made heavier for this job. I hope it will come off once I get this tool. Not a real good design on this set up and I can see why they when to a floating axle.

[74w300uteline]

Ron & Pieter

Before I FLY out and show you 2 how its done. Did you put the thingy on the whatitz before applying the thingamabobber?

[Gordon Maney]

I decided it was time to do the brakes on the 58 Crispy Critter truck yesterday. I pulled the front drums and shoes with no problems. They need turned of course and new wheel cylinders as well as shoes. I then had to tackle the rear axle which has the tapered axles shaft and drums. I used a two jawed puller and with a little heat plus a hammer it popped off. The right side was not as cooperative. Pieter and I tried everything but it's STUCK. I am now looking for a drum puller that bolts to the wheel studs and is made heavier for this job. I hope it will come off once I get this tool. Not a real good design on this set up and I can see why they when to a floating axle.

I hate to seem simplistic, but how about more heat?

The worst one I ever worked with was on a Jeep. I ended up having to cut it off. Carefully.

[Ron in Indiana]

Yeah Andrew fly out here and bring your grease gun. LOL We did put the thingy on the whatitz before applying the thingamabobber but now we need a whozit. Along with more application of the blue tipped wrench.

Gordon, I believe more heat is in order after I get a real drum puller. The brake shop I use may have one to loan I hope. I did this on a 57 TW a few years ago and got both off with heat and a puller. I had plenty of heat on it since there was smoke rising from the inside of the drum. I kept moving the torch to heat evenly also. I will apply a generous amount of antisieze before reinstalling the drums. It would have been nice if the last guy had done that.

[oldmopar]

You do need the heavy 3 arm puller the one I have I can put on a socket and use a air gun which usually gets them off. Other options is a heavy hammer and hit it hard sometimes I have left it on overnight with the pressure on and they poped. However since this has been heated in a fire you may be dealing with a brake drum from H-E-L-L.

[Ron in Indiana]

Actually this truck only had the cab burned out on it. I think it's more along the lines of age, rust and the very slight taper that hangs on for dear life. My good two jaw was doing it until I ran out of thread from bunging up the end of the axle. I pulled a rookie mistake of not putting the nut on loosely first. I did on the other side though. Anyway I think if I came accross one of these pullers I will grab it for the next truck. I didn't want to put to much heat on the hub but may have to once I get a puller. The strange thing is this is an early single headlight W 200 and the last one was a later dual headlight 58 with the corporate full floating axle. So somewhere along the line the factory got wise and switched evidently. We do have a puller on it right now in hopes it may pop but I'm not holding out for that to happen.

[pieter]

Before I FLY out and show you 2 how its done. Did you put the thingy on the whatitz before applying the thingamabobber?

Hey Andrew....

I see I have taught you wisely and you are progressing very well in such a short time! If you feel you have exceeded the talent of your teachers, then feel free to pack Ms. Eudora and head to the Flat lands of Indiana :)
BTW-if you aren't able to apply you thingamabobber and pull the drum, you leave WITHOUT Ms. Eudora =)

Ron's grandkids need a little more variety in the vehicles they get to ride in

Tell the family I said hello **waving**
and give the pups a hug for me!!! LMAO

Pieter

[74w300uteline]

I'll get it out

a chain and some mighty putty then hook it to the Fire Truck and drag it around the parking lot. Don't forget the candle trick.

[74w300uteline]

Ron

no can do on the grease gun. Remember this is New Jersey... we can't have guns

[Ron in Indiana]

It pays to persevere and...

never underestimate the wonders of WAX. We have success on pulling that stubborn brake drum. I found a hub puller at my lumber yard/rental center hanging on the wall. I couldn't believe they had one after asking by chance. I took it home and mounted it on the drum but even after much heat with a torch and a beating with a BFH no joy. I took it off and let it cool, the puller was to hot to hang onto. I thought MAYBE a little wax would do the trick since the penetrating oil wasn't doing it. I carved off some wax from my large candle and held it with a needle nose pliers to get into the axle. I bolted the puller in place and after more pounding with a hammer it made that glorious sound...POP. I couldn't believe my ears. I quickly removed everything and the axle nut so the drum would come off. Once the drum was off I could see and feel the wax which was still arm almost the entire length of the axle shaft. So forget those high priced whizz bang penetrating oils, get yourself some wax to remove the really hard stuff. The scented candles make for a pleasant smelling shop too. ha ha

[oldmopar]

I remember a while back someone telling me about candle wax on I think a manifold I did not pay much attention but since I hear it again. I think its time to add a candle to my tool box.

[Ron in Indiana]

Yes I removed 4 exhaust manifold studs in a 315 several years ago with the wax trick. The main thing is not having the metal so hot that the wax burns. It really is something the way it works on metal.

[TommyDodge]

pulling brake drums

Ron
So how are you , Pieter, and the family doing? seems like forever since the rally at your house
DB69

[Ron in Indiana]

Everything is going well here and Pieter is doing a great job. He went home to MI this weekend for the first time in 7 weeks to check on things. He's been helping me in the shop with various projects which is a real big help. We've got to drop the new 318 in the TW as soon as I get my steam cleaner back togehter so I can wash the engine bay. This brake drum took the better part of yesterday but was a rewarding accomlishment to finally get it off. Now to take everything in to get turned and lined. Yes is seems like the summer is flying past and will be a distant memory soon. How's your truck doing?

[TommyDodge]

pulling brake drums

I have put in a new fuel pump, coil, ballast resistor, distibutor pickup and have gotten the stuff for a tune up including Mopar cap and wires and Champion plugs will install them when it cools off some have been working lots of overtime at the day job and have given up Wal Mart so things will hopefully get back to "normal" soon
Tom