Date:         Mon, 8 Oct 2001 12:20:05 EDT
Reply-To:     KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: rear brake adjusting
Comments: To: emaglott@buncombe.main.nc.us
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

I never pull the big nut off.  Removing the rear drum is very easy if you are
not impatient.

Just remove the wheel, remove the two small bolts that hold the drum on.  Now
use a large hammer and hit with a good deal of force between the studs
(becareful not to hit the studs themselves as this would stink).  Keep
hitting, and move in a cross pattern between the studs on this side and that
side until you hear the pitch of your hits change (this can be three hits to
as much as hitting for a minute or so).  When the pitch changes or you see
the drum move, try to pull it off.  Be sure that the emergency brake is off.
It should come off easy.  If not, hit some more and it will.  Hitting the
drum in this way will not damage it as you are hitting a surface that is
backed up by the heavy steel center behind the drum.  It will pop the drum
loose.  Do NOT (no matter how you are tempted) get impatient and hit around
the edge of the drum, or try to pry against the backing plate to get the drum
off.  Now you will either damage the backing plate, the drum or both.  I have
been taking drums off like this for a few years now and it works every time.
Hope this helps.


Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-765-1583
Fax: (856)-327-2242

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