Front Brake Drum Won’t Pull Off

[Ghostultramarine]

As the title says. The driver’s side slid off nice and easy to inspect the brakes on my 1968 Newport, but the passenger side is stuck on mighty good!

Is there anything to be wary of when using a puller? (Besides damaging the spindle end the centre of the puller will be up against (well, it won’t be, as I’ll put a piece of steel plate over it as I’m pulling).

 

[413]

That is how they are made from the factory. You take it off the dust cap, cotter pin and nut to remove the drum. The studs are swedged to make the drum and hub one piece.

The other side has has the drum replaced so the swedges were cut.

always recommended to buy a factory service manual for you car. Thousands of instructions and photos to show you the way.

 

[Big_John]

You take it off the dust cap, cotter pin and nut to remove the drum.

^This^
And the outer wheel bearing will fall out, so take that out before it falls on the ground and gets dirty.

 

[Big_John]

Factory Service Manual (FSM) here:
Service Manuals – MyMopar

 

[Ghostultramarine]

I’ve done all that.

It’s the drum that won’t come off after the castle nut, cotter pin and bearing has been removed.

 

[413]

Brake shoe adjustment needs to be backed off. Did the drum turn fine before removing the bearings? They often don’t turn good with the bearings loose or off because the drum isn’t straight on the shoes.

try turning the drum slightly with your hands as you pull out on it.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

The shoes are probably holding the drum in place. You need to back-off the brake adjustment, and sometimes a LOT so the shoes can clear the unworn ridge at the inboard side of the drum.

If this isn't the case, you have a serious (and unlikely) problem like the the bearings have welded themselves to the spindle.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

The drum turns fine. I’m just trying the adjustment at the back of the wheel.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

Okay, I got it. It took a LOT of loosening before it could come off.

I figured the wheel would not even turn if it needed to be adjusted that much...

 

[LocuMob]

New parts are in your future.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

Yes. 2 of those little plastic inserts that go into the slots at the bottom back of the wheel. Only the passenger side has them at the front.

 

[live4theking]

Yes. 2 of those little plastic inserts that go into the slots at the bottom back of the wheel. Only the passenger side has them at the front.

Any parts store should have these. I think he was referring to new shoes.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

The shoes aren’t too bad. I was expecting them to be worn down a lot more (isn’t that the way it is with any used vehicle...).

 

[Pax2001]

In the past I have found gently tapping the drum while turning it and applying gentle outwards pressure can also get a drum of, given that the wheel spun freely previously. Once the shoe makes contact with the drum it can 'catch' and then any outwards pressure added increases that bind. It's basically like unscrewing the drum off of the shoe, so the speak, and the vibrations can help release binding before it starts.
maybe for next time

 

[Pax2001]

Usually caused by a slightly weak retainer spring, if memory serves.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

That may well be it! (Retainer spring).

It was at the top of the wheel it seemed like it was catching.