rear drum conundrum

[Don Jordan]

Someone pulled up next to me and said my rear wheel was "wobbling". I drove home put it on stands and started the car. Sure enough the rear wheel was not straight. Also I noticed brake fluid. So I've got to pull the drum.

Problem: my wheel puller is designed for a drum with 6 lugs - it won't work with my 5 lug drum.

Any suggestions? And I haven't even figured out the wobbling thing.

I don't mean to ask too many question but can you get regular brake cylinder kits at the auto parts store?

thanks

[Plymouthy Adams]

If you are thinking that the three legs are staggered for a 6 lug pattern you would be wrong..the three legs are very what is used for pulling the drums on these cars...also as you car is driveable..there is always the trick of loosening the nut a turn or two and inserting the cotter key back in..do a few hard lefts and right aroung the block..should break free...

[Don Jordan]

My friend across the street (the genius) just made a metal strip. I bolted that on the wheel so the wheel puller can bolt into 2 holes and the third arm will grab the metal strip.

It won't budge. I loosened the brakes from the back (though I'm not sure which way to turn to adjusting nuts - I turned them counter cw).

I've put so much pressure on the drum I'm afraid I will break it. (if it can be done I can do it)

I'm a fan of WD40 but I don't really know where to spray it.

The car had been sitting for years before I bought it so I don't know how long the drums have been on the car.

Help!!

[JerseyHarold]

The best bet is with the correct puller. Try contacting your local Pep Boys or Auto Zone to see if they have one as part of their tool loaner program.

[TodFitch]

My friend across the street (the genius) just made a metal strip. I bolted that on the wheel so the wheel puller can bolt into 2 holes and the third arm will grab the metal strip.

<snip>

If you have a puller that hooks on as implied by your posting then you are unlikely to get the drum off and you may damage it in the attempt. The puller you are looking for bolts on to the hub area of the drum using the wheel mounting studs/bolts.

As previously noted, your local auto supply may have one in their loaner/rental tools. If not, then check with other vintage Plymouth (and I think Ford) owners in your area and see if you can borrow one. That is one good reason for being a member of a local club or the local region of a national club.

[Don Jordan]

Well it's not going anywhere - I will try Harbor Freight to see if they have one. I see them on the bay every now and then. At the time I thought $175 was a little costly - but now I would gladly pay. The car is up on stands, there is brake fluid dripping out - I appear to be up that proverbial creek with out the proper tool.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I got a brand new one for 40.00...in a molded carry case...worked superb...took the pressure from a 5 foot cheater bar..no hammer used...175.00 is ridiculus for a puller you may use a few times in your life..

[John Reddie]

Jim,

This is the kind of puller needed. Those drums can really be stuck after many years. Good luck to you.

John R

[John Reddie]

I'm sorry Don. I called you Jim in the previous post. Take care.

John

[Arthur1947]

Don,

Soak the nut with penetrating oil while you're looking fro the right tool. The nut should come off turning it ccw on either side. Go figure! When you use the tear drop puller you're going to have to bang away until you hear a loud pop and the drum in some cases will shoot off so be prepared. I did this a couple weeks back and thought someone was doing a drive-by. I was happy to see that sucker come off. Good luck.

Best.

ARTHUR

[Don Jordan]

John,

thank you for the picture - I will check out auto parts stores tomorrow.

Just for grins - this is what I'm working with. And it's not working.

d-

[Andydodge]

Don, the setup that you are using in theory would work, but I think the plates bolted between the wheels bolts should be at least 3/8thick, if not more.......the proper puller bolts onto 3 of the bolts and usually have a VERY LARGE centre nut that you screw onto the protruding axle end after the centre nut is undone a couple of turns BUT left on to protect the thread and, then once the centre nut on the puller is done up onto the axle end and about as tight as you can get it you give the outer end of the pullers centre nut an almighty wack and it should jar the brake drum off, if not you do it up a little more tighter then another WACK on the outer end of the bolt to jar it off.........years ago when I got my 40 dodge I tried every way to get the rear drums off, finally was told about these "tapered axle pullers" and got me one........best money i ever spent, your neighbour has the right idea but I don't think its heavy duty enough.........lol........good luck........andyd

[David Maxwell]

...and kept seeing the outrageous prices on ebay etc. I did a search on google and came up with a place that sold them new for $24. I bought it and it worked great. Wish I still had the info, but you can always do a search and I'll bet you'll come up with something cheaper than ebay prices.

[David Maxwell]

I just completed and exhaustive search for a hub puller and came up with nothing that could beat the ebay prices. Geez, just a few years have gone by and these things have apparently turned to gold! lol.

...and kept seeing the outrageous prices on ebay etc. I did a search on google and came up with a place that sold them new for $24. I bought it and it worked great. Wish I still had the info, but you can always do a search and I'll bet you'll come up with something cheaper than ebay prices.

[Don Jordan]

I went to one auto parts store and they had the really heavy duty puller: $250. I asked the guy to please check again - oddly enough same price.

I went to another parts store and he looked in all his tool catalogs and couldn't find one.

Shel gave me the address on e-bay of a place in Long Beach, CA. Desperation talking here - I want to get it done. The picture of the puller looks a tad weak but it was a "buy it now" for $59. I probably could have waited it out but it's worth the money to be able to get the drum off this week end while the weather is perfect. Since I have the tool I guess it's time to do rear brakes.

Thanks to all for the hints and advice.

[Normspeed]

One day I'm gonna buy one of the ebay ones. Is this the one you're getting?

[Dodgeb4ya]

Maybe you could just go to Snap-On online and buy one for $153.00. Should be same price off most trucks too. I just checked this out!

Ebay is a big rip on high end quality tools. People just get stupid and pay way too much with out looking at other sources.

Bob

[Lou Earle]

2 things-

1-Bill Willard's trick- loosen nut a few turns reinstall cotter pin and dive around block few times- I have gotten them off that way on Fords before I had a puller.

2 Find a Model A club or old ford club in your area they have the same axle/key set up that is on our cars. One of them will have one fro sure

Lou

[Don Jordan]

Norm - that's the one I got for $59. They are in Long Beach so I'm hoping I'll get it tomorrow or Thursday. It looks too small for the job but I guess I'll know this week end.

I have found it doesn't really matter which one you get or how much you pay someone will find a better one for less.