Date:         Sun, 5 Feb 1995 16:59:26 -0500 (EST)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         gt4281b@prism.gatech.edu (Victor Marcelo Virreira)
Subject:      Re: Brake Drum removal -- 87 Vanagon

> 
> Tom Ervolina said:
> 
> > I can't get either of the rear brake drums off.  I've ordered the Bentley
> > book but haven't received it yet.  Is there some trick?  So far I've:
> > pulled the wheel, removed the two 11mm bolts, released the parking brake,
> > and yanked, banged.  The drum rotates freely and seems to be frozen on
> > rather than simply being held up by the brake shoes.  Is it simply a matter
> > of getting violent with it?  There doesn't seem to be a good way of getting
> > a good grasp on it to yank.  Thanks for any help.  (
> 
> When I worked on the rear brakes on my '87, I couldn't get the drums 
> off the hubs either. I had to remove the big axle nut and pull the 
> hub and drum together. Only by brutal hammering was I able to 
> separate the drum and hub, which seemed to be rusted together. 
> 

	When I worked on my 84 recently I had the same problem!

	Ultimately what worked was using 2 flat-head screwdrivers
	as levers.  I put them between the drum and the wheel
	"plate" (where all the brake components are attached to) and
	just pushed/pulled HARD! - It works after a while. Just
	try different positions: 12/6 o' clock, 9/3, etc

	good luck! 

	-Victor