Date:         Mon, 1 Apr 2002 14:42:44 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: Rear axle
Comments: To: Willolyn99@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Bill Marshall wrote:

> Hey John,
>      How do you get the brake drums off w/out taking the axel nuts off?

>

Bill, take a very hard look at the front or axle nut side of the drum. There
should be a single small bolt head visible. That is the only thing that holds the
drum on besides the lug nuts themselves. Adjust the shoes so they are pulled away
from the drum on the inside, then remove the lug nuts, then the remove the little
bolt.

Theoretically, the drum should slid right off at that point. It's doubtful it
will however, because of the close fit of the lug bolts and the holes thru the
drum, and because of rust and whatever, but physically there is no hardware
holding  the drum on at that point. You will probably need to apply some
persuasion to get it off.

Before you start the process, give the lug bolts a good soaking in Marvel's
Mystery Oil. ---  24 to 48 hours. Not the top lube stuff, but the real oil. It is
a VERY good penetrating oil. Then using a wood or plastic mallet use the old "200
Taps" that G.M. Bulley spoke of on this list one time .... I think it was him....
sorry if I'm giving credit to the wrong guy.  Tap 200 times all the way around
the drum. Then with a block of wood to protect the metal at the back of the drum,
start bumping it toward the axle nut. If it doesn't loosen, up the ante a bit.
Use a heavier hammer, maybe a good heavy ball peen type. But absolutely br
careful and adjust the force of the blow!! You don't want to bend or crack
something, or marr it up.

As I recall some of the other list members have used a bit of propane to help the
process along.

All this messing around is about getting some movement started. Once the drum
moves at all, you should be able to get it off.

Other list members may have some good input on this. And it's written up in the
archives as well.

Good Luck.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver