woodie49 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Posted July 11, 2012 I got an Amco brake tool a while ago, so I pulled my rear drums from my '49 to adjust my brakes. They came off pretty easy and everything is dry and the seals look pretty new, but, I am having a heck of a time getting the little square keys out of the axle and I need them out to use my adjusting tool. I don't want to pound on them too hard because I don't want to mess up my bearings. Is there a trick to getting these things loose? I spent an hour on them with no luck at all. I don't really want to pull the axles because I don't have a puller for that and I imaging it is a pain. I think the bearings were replaced just a few years back (less than 5000 miles) so I don't need to check them. Just need to get the darn keys out. Quote
james curl Posted July 11, 2012 Report Posted July 11, 2012 Use a good pair of diagonals to grip the outboard end at the axle surface then rock the diagonals down to raise the key out of the key way on one end then use vice grips to pull it the rest of the way out. Quote
greg g Posted July 11, 2012 Report Posted July 11, 2012 Some times tapping the end with a small drift will also loosen them up. Usually the back end of the slot is curved up to the surface, tapping it backward forces the rear end up where you can grab it with pliers or small channel locks. Quote
TodFitch Posted July 11, 2012 Report Posted July 11, 2012 Some times tapping the end with a small drift will also loosen them up. Usually the back end of the slot is curved up to the surface, tapping it backward forces the rear end up where you can grab it with pliers or small channel locks. Agree with that. Also a narrow flat blade screw driver can be tapped at the base of the key to move it back and sometimes that will get the key to start coming up. Quote
woodie49 Posted July 11, 2012 Author Report Posted July 11, 2012 The channel does slant up to the back (tword the brake backing plate) I have given it a few hits, I am just concerned pounding on it too hard will mess up the bearings. Maybe they are strong enough not to be affcted. I'll give the diagonals a try first. Quote
woodie49 Posted July 12, 2012 Author Report Posted July 12, 2012 Had good luck with penetrating oil and channel locks. It took a while, but the keys finally did come out. Thanks for the suggestions. I was then surprised to see that that AAmco brake tool will not fit over the rear axles as they are fatter than the fronts. I assume someone changed the axles along the way, although the brakes and plates look correct. I will check to see if the Woodie rear axles have a different part number, but i doubt it. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 13, 2012 Report Posted July 13, 2012 My ammco tool fits the rear axles OK. It should work with yours too. I have never had a problem like you are having. Take a look at these pics I took just a bit ago. Bob Quote
woodie49 Posted July 13, 2012 Author Report Posted July 13, 2012 My ammco tool fits the rear axles OK. It should work with yours too. I have never had a problem like you are having. Take a look at these pics I took just a bit ago.Bob Thanks for the pix, they help. I'll look at it again this morning. I assumed that you needed the round insert on the tool with the back bakes as well, which definately doesn't fit. without it, I still don't have enough axle length to attach the castilated nut, and the depth of the brake shoes interfers with the tool. I'll try to get a few pictures. I think the out bearing seal number is also different than what I have, but that might just be different manufacturers. Quote
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