Frozen Brake drum...remove stub axle?

[oscarsnapkin]

So I’ve been trying to remove a rear brake drum from a Thing that has been sitting for a very long time. None of the wheels rotate in the least bit. Here’s what I’ve done so far - I’ve removed the retaining pins, used a drum puller, disconnected hydraulic line, removed the bolt from the wheel cylinder hoping it would allow the shoes to fold inward, tried heating the drum with a cutting torch, tried beating it with a hammer, smacking the shoes with a chisel through the inspection holes....nothing. I don’t know what could possibly be holding it in place. The puller pushes the stub axle inwards toward the transmission so I was wondering, would I risk causing any damage if I were to completely remove the stub axle and (with the wheel on) slowly lower the car with a jack until the weight is on the wheel? I tried doing it with the axle in place and the nut loose, but it did nothing. Other than that I think my only other option is cutting the drum off.
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- 1977 CEI Sunroof Bus 2.0L F.I. Hydraulic Lifters
- 1973 Thing

"It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind."

[mondshine]

Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.

If the drive axle is out, the only potential damage from pushing the stub axle right through would be to the wheel bearings, (which you will probably replace anyway) and the snap ring that retains the inner wheel bearing.

If the drums are worn to the point where a ridge has formed inboard of the brake shoes, you might consider snipping off the heads of the brake shoe retaining pins from the backside of the backing plate. With the hard line disconnected and the wheel cylinder retaining bolt removed, you can probably force the drum off, along with the brake shoes and cylinder.

Good luck, Mondshine

[74 Thing]

I assume you have disconnected the parking brake cable as well.

Here is the view inside
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1836718

There is a bar that runs straight across that could be keeping the shoes out as well.

Maybe the drum splines on the stub axle and the drum have severely rusted/welded together. A big punch and hammer to drive that shaft out may be the next step.

Good luck-keep us posted.

[FJBLF]

I've done this, BE CAREFUL, it is dangerous. Make sure nothing is on the way of the drum and the puller as they will be released with force. NOTHING should be on the way.

Put as much pressure on the puller as it would take, stand aside and hit the face of the drum with a 5 lb hammer, HARD... the drum and puller with snap out. The combination of tension and shock will brake the rust between the drum and the shoe.

Not sure what year is yours, here you have a video of the rear brake job on mine.



Link

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1972 VW 181 SAFARI 1500 cc GRB Trans-axle

[mondshine]

If the stub axle is moving in/out relative to the drum, the snag must be between the shoes and the drum. Clip the heads off of the retaining pins, and try again.

Good luck, Mondshine

[Wildthings]

Remove the half axle and drive the stub axle all the way through. Now as others suggest clip or grind the heads off the retainer clips. I would probably at this point just decide there was nothing worth saving there and beat the drum every which of way with a 4# hammer and if that didn't work get out the 8# sledge.

[RWK]

Maybe drill a hole 1/4-3/8 thru drum diameter where shoe is and use a punch to drive shoe inward, one on both sides, shouldn't hurt drum much people drill rotor and drums all the time
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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[av8shunmeckaneck]

Cut the drum in half with a mini grinder and cutoff wheel. Cut it from top to bottom, either fwd or aft of the axle. The piece not attached to the stub axle will fall off and you will have access to bang, pry, torch on the remaining side to unstick the shoe. The drum is trash anyway, along with all of the hardware inside.

[oscarsnapkin]

So I finally got one of the rear drums off. I removed the stub axle as I had mentioned earlier. I had already unbolted the wheel cylinder so I put a punch inside the mounting hole and beat the snot out of it with a 4lb sledge. After a few wacks the wheel cylinder came loose from the backing plate. Since the axle was out, I could pull the drum downward (shoes were still frozen in the adjusters) bending the mounting tabs on the shoes until eventually everything came apart. Removing the axle definitely made it easier since the drum no longer need to be pulled straight outward. I have one drum left to remove, so hopefully this will work. Thanks for all the suggestions.
_________________
- 1977 CEI Sunroof Bus 2.0L F.I. Hydraulic Lifters
- 1973 Thing

"It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind."