Rear brake drum removal

[Bob]

I'm trying to remove the rear brake drums on my "59" Sport Fury HT.

I thought they were rusted on really bad, but after soaking them with Strong Arm Sprays rust remover penetrant and pounding with a 3lb hammer to no avail.

Upon looking a little closer I noticed there are 4 rivits that seam to be holding the drum to the axel flange.
I've never seen this before and I'm not sure they are fastened to the axel flange, but why else would they be there ?

Has anyone had this experience with these drums ?

These may still be the original brakes .

Bob

[tomf]

Hi Bob, If your rear brake drums are stock, they are riveted to the hub. You need a heavy duty hub puller and a bigger hammer. This is a tapered shaft with a keyway and they can be very tight especially if they haven't been off before. The penetrating oil will help, and I have ended up using heat to get them to come loose. When you do get it off and tend to your brakes, go one step further and pull your axels and check the wheel bearing. If it is in good shape, it needs to be packed with grease just like the front wheel bearings. If it is rusty or very dry, you should consider replacing it. You will need a slide hammer type puller to remove the axel, and if you need a new bearing it has to be removed and replaced with a press.
Good luck
Tom Fox

[Dick Koch]

Hi Bob - Removing those brake drums can be a bear. I used a hub puller, heat and a 8 pound sledge along with penetrating oil to no avail. Ended up using a 16 lb. sledge and a lot of heat, six hard smacks and they popped loose but I destroyed the drums in the process. Make sure you reverse the axle nut and put it on the end of the shaft so you don't mess up the threads. DO NOT USE OIL on the taper when you put them back because you will never get them off again. I use never-seize and they have been pooping right off. Replacement drums are quite expensive if you can find them, since I was installing the AJA disc brake kit I drilled out the rivits on the front and rear drum hubs. I installed the rear hubs on the front drums usint grade 8 bolts and used them, works great. You can rent a hub puller or buy one at NAPA, OTC tool Co. makes them. it bolts on the drum using the lug bolts there is a Tee bar you strike with a hammer to create a lot of tension . Good luck.
Dick