Removing brake drums - help needed. - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum

65 FEGalVert · 06-13-2009, 10:32 AM

Now that the engine is running acceptable well, it's time for brakes. Fronts first.

I've been squirting PB Penetrating Oil around the studs and hub, then backed the adjusting screw all the way off. I starting hitting the drums from behind with a sledge hammer until the lips of the drums started breaking off.

What else can I try before I destroy these things?

one37tudor · 06-13-2009, 10:48 AM

You will likely have to get a drum puller (some auto parts stores will loan them) and just put a good amount of pressure on it then start tapping on the center area of the drum to jar it loose.

Scott...

UTRY · 06-13-2009, 10:58 AM

WHOA!!!!!!back the turnip cart up a bit...Did you say FRONT??? if so the hub and drum assy. must be removed together, the hub is pressed onto the drum!!!
!-Remove the dust cap
2-remove the cotter pin
3-unscrew the bearing retainer nut
4-now pull trhe drum and hub assy. off the spindle.

Dave66Galaxie · 06-13-2009, 11:00 AM

The drums are NOT supposed to slide off the front like the rear. The drums are pressed onto the hubs and the studs are swaged to hold the drum secure. Remove the center grease cap, cotter pin and nut. The drum along with the wheel bearings will come right off.

65 FEGalVert · 06-13-2009, 11:03 AM

Man am I glad I posted here before I got too far into this thing!!!

Imagine the force required to separate the drums! ha ha!

Back to the garage.

Thanks, guys!!!!!

gentz · 06-13-2009, 11:18 AM

also one other tip that i usually use, i hit the drum in the front several times to break it loos neved from the back because you can damage the lip and will get out of balance, and yea the fronts come out with the hub...

65 FEGalVert · 06-13-2009, 12:27 PM

Well that was a heck of a lot easier with the nut removed! Thanks!

Now, where can I buy a new drum? :~(

puttster · 06-13-2009, 12:45 PM

I've been wanting to work on my brakes but not if they are asbestos. How can I tell?

gentz · 06-13-2009, 03:09 PM

you cant unless you remove them and the amount of asbestos in them if any will be minimal...

65 FEGalVert · 06-13-2009, 04:33 PM

I think it requires chronic exposure to eventually cause lung damage due to the very small particles filling up the deep parts of your lungs. Just don't snort it and you'll be fine.

danv · 06-13-2009, 06:16 PM

In the old days, mechanics used to blow out the asbestos with compressed air.
Once they found out that it was a dangerous substance, they started to use a hose and running water from a tap, to avoid the airborne particles.

71hotrodpinto · 06-13-2009, 06:57 PM

Just get some brake clean and saturate everything over a drain pan to clean everything. Any residue left wont contain any asbestos to worry about.

The average brake job for drum brakes is about a can per side. Sometimes a can per drum depending how clean you want things, and how dirty it started to begin with.

donwhis · 06-15-2009, 05:26 AM

I think you can get drums at any auto store.

Rich27028 · 06-15-2009, 05:10 PM

i dont know what kind of weird galaxie you have --but all 4 drums will slide off-- you do not need to pull the front hubs --the drum will slide off the hub--

dont hit the back lip of your drums -it will break big chuncks off

Dave66Galaxie · 06-15-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich27028

i dont know what kind of weird galaxie you have --but all 4 drums will slide off-- you do not need to pull the front hubs --the drum will slide off the hub--

dont hit the back lip of your drums -it will break big chuncks off

Rich, If your front drums slide off the hubs, it is because at some point in time some one changed the front drums and studs and did not swage the new studs. From the factory the front drums would not slide off.