New guy with a question.

Richie

Hello everyone, allow me to introduce myself, I'm an old retired guy and am new to the Hudson world. My name is Richie and I just bought a 49 stepdown a short while ago. My question is about pulling the rear drums off. I have taken the drums off my old Plymouth, with the similar style setup and had no problems. I used the same puller on the Hudson and the drums never budged. I have done all the obvious things that I know. The emergency brake is off I have hit all around the drum with a large hammer, not hitting the center though. I broke my puller while tightening with a 3/4" drive breaker bar and a two foot extension on top of that. I bought a new heavy duty puller that you hit with a "large" hammer. Drums still do not budge, I'm at the point that I think one of the bolt heads may come flying off like a bullet if I keep going. I didn't want to heat with a torch for fear of the brake fluid and grease catching fire. Am I missing something here or should I just keep slugging away?? I thank you in advance for any help. Sorry for the long post. Richie.

Unknown

Since I've never had this problem, I can't comment from personal experience. However, others on this forum have had the problem you're experiencing. If you do a search on this topic, I'm sure you'll find the info you're looking for. Good luck with your car and welcome to the Wacky and Wonderful World of Hudson.



BTW, have you joined the HET club and your local chapter?

hudsonguy

I've got to ask the obvious....you removed the large center nuts first, right? If so, and you're still having problems, it's got to be the shoes trying to squeeze thru the 'ridge'.

Richie

Thank you Dave53-7C, I will do a search. Yes I joined the HET club and the Local Dixie Chapter week before last. I have not rec'd anything from either club yet. Thanks again, Richie

Richie

Thanks Hudsonguy, yes I removed the nuts and washers. The drums are solid as a rock, no give at all. As hard as I'm pulling I would think it would pull the brake shoes right off. Thanks, Richie.

Jon B

Forgive me if you've tried this already, but have you loosened the star wheel to back off the brake shoes?



You mentioned hitting around the drums with a large hammer. Did you do this while the puller was under tension?



Also, I'm sure you are well acquainted with wheel pullers, but are you using a puller of the type -- and in the way -- shown in the following sequence? http://groups.msn.com/HudsonEssexTerraplaneBulletinBoard/rearwheelpuller.msnw

Richie

Thanks to all for your suggestions, I appreciate that. I have been reading this forum for about a month now and enjoy it very much. I did a search as was suggested by Dave53-7C and found out that sometimes you just have to get mean! I went back out to the garage and got mean. I hit that dog bone about a dozen times as hard as I could and "bang" off it popped. thanks very much guys. Richie.

Richie

Yes Jon B, I read that sequence and just got mean with my large hammer and got them off. I did have the same type of puller as in that article. Thanks very much. Richie

Unknown

Richie wrote: »

Yes Jon B, I read that sequence and just got mean with my large hammer and got them off. I did have the same type of puller as in that article. Thanks very much. Richie[/QUOTE



Do the brake drums rust to the axle or what is it that makes them so hard to get them off ? I had a 55 Cheby many many years ago and if I just backed the brakes off you could pull them off by hand ( If I remember right) . New to the "New" Hudson Cars but maybe to own one some day. 29 Hudson, Ron

Uncle Josh

OK, if ya don't want to get so mean, remove the large nut on the top behind the backer plate. This releases the anchor pin that's holding the shoes if they're rusted to the drum. The 2 little wire keepers break but you have everything on the ground where you can get to it. Release the star-wheel with a vise grip and pry the shoes out.



The other thing I didn't see was play a torch around the drum to warm it up a little. Not so much you change the color mind ya.

Richie

Thanks Uncle Josh, mission accomplished, all is well now. I appreciate all the help from the guys that know !!!Thanks again, Richie.

Richie

Ron P, I did back off the brake shoes before I started the drum removal, I guess the drums had been on there for a "long" time. Everything is OK now, Thanks for your help. Richie.