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Date:         Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:17:12 -0800
Reply-To:     jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM>
Subject:      Re: "Axle" wheel nut removal...the rest of the story.
In-Reply-To:  <498316E9.4010600@verizon.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Being the stbborn folks that I am, I was determined to get the brake drum off without removing the axle nut.

What finally worked was 10 minutes with a propane torch, and prying the drum. I could see it getting looser, and it finally popped off.

If you have a MAPP gas, or better yet, an oxy/acetylene torch, that would be much faster. If using an oxt/ac. make sure you don't burn/melt anything!

The only hitch in the process (beside the stuck drum) was on the front passenger side caliper. I could not get the piston back into the caliper. So, I had to remove the caliper and use clamps to get it back in. That meant I had to bleed the system.

I was able to replace the pads/shoes on all four wheels with only one "special" tool, and that was the one-man brake bleeding do-dad. I used to use the mity-vac tool where I used a little bottle, and pulled a vaccum.

The one-way valve tool is MUCH better. You can buy four of the $6.00 tools, and bleed all of the brakes at once. I just needed to pump the brakes, and keep adding fluid. Quite easy in a Vanagon, since the master cylinder is right in front of you.

Not that I needed to remove the axle nuts, but the best method I've heard (among many) is the use a 3/4" drive breaker bar and the 46mm (or 1 13/16") socket. With the wheels still attached, simply drive forward (or back) with the bar on the ground. Let the engine do the work, not you!

Jon


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