Actually, you may not be able to get it off with just a socket and ratchet. It's supposed to be on with a couple hundred ft/lbs of torque. Unless you have a large breaker bar and can exert sufficient leverage, you may need to get the special tool that is designed to loosen these. This is a special flattened, 1/2" drive steel socket having an extension with two flat sides on it designed for hammering on. You place it over the axle nut, place a ratchet or breaker bar in the 1/2" drive, and while pressing down on the ratchet you simultaneously hammer on the flat side to break the nut free. I believe these are simply called axle nut removers, and any VW parts place or large FLAPS should carry them. All Type IIs and Vanagons use an axle nut to retain the hub, so you should be able to find one.

Not sure, though, why the hub has to be loosed to get the drum off. Even if you have grooves worn in your drum, backing off the brake shoes, using a rust dissolver and tapping the drum with a mallet should loosen it.

Dan

Gary Stearns wrote:

I will very soon need to replace rear brake on our '88 GL.   A few days ago I checked the Bentley, took a rear wheel off to consider how big a job this was going to be.  Bentley says the rear hub castellated nut has to come off to get the drum off.  Seems unecessary, but also seems no way to get a drum puller around the edges of the drum.  OK, what size socket do I need.  Geeeez, this thing measures 45mm!  (clatter of sockets being pushed around in the toolbox) I don't see one of those in here!  My largest socket is 24mm.  Went to 2 FLAPS (Hey Tony! You ever see a 45mm socket?) and a Sears.  FLAPS can order it for me from a specialty tool company for $55.  No, I'll check with The List first.   Do I need this blammit thing?  Can one be had cheaper? Thanks - Gary

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Dan
__________________________________________________
Dan Schmitz - Genentech Automation Engineering
djs@gene.com (650) 225-6119
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"I'll so offend to make offense a skill
Redeeming time when men least think I will"

W. Shakespeare
Henry IV, Part 1