Axle removal and stuck drum?

[69rangerman]

Drive side slid right out drum and axle. Passenger side I cannot budge the drum. I've done the brake adjuster all the way down but can still hear some light brake rub. I tried PB blaster and banging on the edge of the drum to start it off, but it's like it's permanently attached.

Any ideas? I'm trying to get both axles bearings done on Monday.



Related question: Should I remove the 3rd member and have the pinion bearings changed too?

Thanks

[averagef250]

Might try heating the outside of the drum with an oxy torch. I've never had one so stuck it couldn't be worked loose with a couple big screwdrivers wedged between the backing plate and drum though. I would only change the stuff if it's bad. While you have the axles out is a good time to pull the center chunk and check it out real good, probably just replace the pinion seal and put it back in.

[FORDification]

Sometimes there will be small very-thin sheetmetal 'nuts' (I can't think of the correct term) that screw onto the axle studs to hold the drum in place. Make sure you don't have one or more of these that might have been overlooked.

I've never had one so stuck that it could come off. Normally they will bind a little until you back up the adjusting star all the way, sometimes they'll bind a little where the axle nub sticks through in the middle, but giving that area a few squirts of PB Blaster and then alternately tapping the rear and sides of the drum will slowly work it off.

[69rangerman]

Thanks guys.

Keith you explained exactly what I'm seeing and wondering about...the axle end where it comes through the drum almost looks like it's rusted to the drum.

Can I use one of those big 3 jaw pullers? The only one I have was too small.

Thanks

[Darrman]

Did you try hitting between the studs to break it loose? Drums have a habit of rusting to the axle shaft, and hitting it on the edge is usually useless in these cases.

[fordman]

that has been the problems i have ran into. they are always rusted right in the same place every time i've pulled mine.

[kknip]

I put a flathead screwdriver between the rear lip and backing plate and pry out while hitting the outside of the drum and also between the studs like Darrman said.Be carefull not to hit the studs though.

[ICEMAN6166]

small propane torch, heating the area of the drum around the axle is what i use. bent several drums prying too hard and even broke pieces out.

[DuckRyder]

Use a small wire brush around the center of the drum/axel along with the PB blaster. Also apply the PB blaster at the base of the studs so that it can soak into the flange to drum area.

Hammer blows to the drum in alternating quadrants also will set up a rocking motion that usually works when combined with the PB blaster.

[69rangerman]

Thanks, Should work out great...go to work and have a Monday on Monday...get all tense...come home and pick up a hammer, and maybe even something that shoots fire! I feel better already.

It really seems stuck on good. I went to autozone and asked if they had a big puller...guess what he said...yep, big hammer and PB.

[jzjames]

RE: puller...
Isnt there a slide-hammer type puller that is used specifically for pulling the axles out?

[DuckRyder]

RE: puller...
Isnt there a slide-hammer type puller that is used specifically for pulling the axles out?

Yes, but.

You have to get the drum off and remove the 4 nuts on the bearing retainer/backing plate.

[69rangerman]

Finally, after 2 days of PB soaking and wacking with a mallet I got tired of goofing around and got a 2 x 4 and the 2lb sledge and after about 6 big time smacks it popped. It was completely sealed with rust around the axle. Thanks for the tips everyone.

I was surprised to find that the axle on a 9" has to be pulled to allow full access to the brakes. For posterity here's a couple of pictures with and without the axle in place.





The pic without the axle is the driver side and the one with is the passenger side.

[FORDification]

RE: puller...
Isnt there a slide-hammer type puller that is used specifically for pulling the axles out?

Yes, but.

You have to get the drum off and remove the 4 nuts on the bearing retainer/backing plate.

...and if you don't have access to a slide hammer, here's a quick trick that'll work 99.9% of the time.

First of all, obviously you'll have to remove the drum and then the four nuts holding the axle mouting flange to the axle tube:



Then just reinstall the drum backwards, and thread at least three of the lugnuts back on a few turns:


...and simply use the drum as the slide hammer. Normally a few pops in an outwardly direction will slide a stuck axle right out:

[ChiefRedcoles38]

Nice trick!