Date:         Sat, 31 Jan 2004 13:00:02 EST
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Brake Drums?
Comments: To: xtabe@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 1/30/04 3:27:26 PM, xtabe@YAHOO.COM writes:

<< How do I pull the rear drums? >>

I guess the brake drum question was overdue.

1/ The most certain, least damaging and recommended way is to back off the
adjusters, remove the axle nut, attach a puller and pull the drum off with the
hub.  It is not that hard to do and it makes the rest of the job very easy.
The time spent to remove the hub/drum in this predictable manner makes up for
all the time wasted, and risk, trying to remove the drum in some half-assed way
then working on the brakes with the hub in the way.

2/ If you want to risk damaging (Brinnelling) the bearings with a hammer then
back off the adjusters, squirt copious amounts of penetrant around the center
hole of the drum, remove the two 6 mm capscrews and strike the outer diameter
of the drum on its corner with a 2 lb. hammer.  Strike it smartly and aim
your blows INWARD toward the center of the van.  Don't be afraid to rap it.  It
will pop off.  Trying to beat it off with a glancing blow directed outward is
futile.

I highly recommend removing the hub instead.

George