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Stuck brake drums

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drooartz

drooartz

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I'm trying to get the rear drums off the Tunebug today, with no luck so far. The 2 little screws are out, and the thing just won't budge. Tried some heat, and liberal application of my rubber mallet.

I remember the ones I pulled from the midget were stubborn, but these things just don't want to come out. Any thoughts or of other things I should try?
 
Drew, probably stupid questions on my part, but have you backed the adjusters off all the way? Released the "E" brake?? Sometimes, even after doing that, a few sharp raps with the mallet all the way around the drums are necessary to get the shoes to pop clear of the drums.
Jeff
 
Adjusters are off as far as they'll go, and the hand brake is off.

The PO did rebuild the rear brakes, so I know the drum have been off in the last 3 years or so. Sucker just doesn't want to let go.
 
Well Drew, it looks like you're in for some quality time with your mallet. Use some PB Blaster, or equivalent, on the hub area, and try rapping around the drum, then hitting the face of it, 180* apart to see if you can get it to rock on the hub. If you try to pry it off, it'll just bend the backing plate.
Jeff
 
I got the other side off, cam easily, so there's just the one (rear right) to go. I've got nothing planned this afternoon, so I guess I've got my activities laid out for me. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Drew
Do the drums turn but just not come off or are they completely stuck?
The answer will affect your actions.
Bill
 
Drum does turn fine, just won't release from the hub.
 
I tried getting these off recently & PB worked along with the correct screw tip & a coordinated effort of turning the screw driver & hitting it at the same time.
 
The screws are out, Vince (weren't there to begin with...) but the drum just won't come off. Either some gasket has turned to cement, or the drum has rusted to the hub. I'll just keep on working at it, just need a bit of patience I guess.
 
Just an update, I've got 3 of the drums off, with just the right rear still stuck. I tried a gear puller, the sort with the 3 hook arms and a center bolt. No good. I've got it soaking in PB Blaster right now, as best as I can. Any other ideas?
 
It should come off (famous last words right) do you have a deadblow hammer? (no dents) I just pounded. One thought, is it still straight on the hub? (I wonder if it is jammed on angle) Could you try hammering it back on (so it's flat to the hub & alligned to the brake drums, then try pulling again - don't know of this makes sense. good luck
 
Right now it doesn't seem to want to budge at all. I'm going to keep up with the old PB Blaster, and try my hammer again. No true deadblow hammer, just my trusty rubber mallet.

The other 3 came off no problem. Strange.
 
try a "real" hammer with a piece of hardwood - no dents but more oomph. Not sure you're going to get enough hit with a rubber mallet.

as I sit here, I think I was able to lever mine off with a large screwdriver going slowly around the drum pushing lightly against the backplate
 
I'll give the larger hammer/hardwood a try tomorrow. I tried levering a bit, but that sucker is stuck on there!
 
Missed that. I thought maybe the drum was being held on by the shoe as was the case with me. If you can turn it that is not your situ. Must be rusted to the face of the axel but it should break free by now with all the bangiong & PB & heat....
 
Drew,

When I took mine apart both of my rear drums were stuck as well. I used a piece of oak I had and hit it with a hammer around the edge of the drum. I had to hit pretty hard but by alternating side it eventually loosened up.

HTH.
 
Puller will not work as studs are not in the drum, they go through the drum.

If the screws are out, two of them, get around the back side and tap tap tap on the drum from side to side, can turn the drum to get a frest location. some times a bit more that a tap is required.
 
This puller was the sort that hooks to the back of something, with a central bolt in to tension it -- hooks were on the back of the drum, bolt on the axle center. Didn't help, though.

I'll try the hardwood/BFH today and see if I can get it to budge. A little persistence is in order here.
 
Turn it and beat the tar out of it rapidly. The vibration will most likely work it loose.
 
I put the side of a 2x4 against the inside of the flange and tap against that as I go around, seems to work usually, and I usually use a 2 pound hammer!
Bill
 
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