Front Brakes - can't get drums off

[dma1260]

Hey VW Buds - I have a strange brake issue. I have a '60 Panel Bus that is running great (after engine rebuild and lots of other work) and I have a strange
brake issue. I replaced all my hoses and I replaced my master cylinder. I bled all wheels and the master cylinder. I have a very high peddle and NO air in the system. With that said . . I have a pull to the drivers side NO MATTER what I do, I have adjusted the brakes multiple times and I can't adjust out the pull to the drivers side. I have no fluid leak in the wheel cylinders . . I have jacked the bus up (all wheels off the ground) and checked the adjustments and wheel resistance to be equal on all wheels.

I decided that the wheel cylinders on the passenger side must have some issue, so I tried to pull off the wheel hub and it will not come off. My bearings are good and wheel turns very nicely and easy but I can't get the god damn hub off . . I have tried heating the hub and bearings . . no go. Any suggestions as to why I can't this hub off (both front hubs will not come off) tips ? suggestions ? I don't want too gubber up the bearings if I can avoid it. Suggestions as to how to get the hubs off . . . without destroying the bearings.

Please let me know . . . thanks !

[73sports]

You mean drums? Take the dust cap off the center of the drum, and then undo the nuts that keep the drum on the spindle. There is no hub per se.
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[Harleyelf]

If the issue is the dust cover over the bearing, smack straight down with a plastic mallet until it moves, then rotate the wheel a third of a revolution and do it again. Repeat as needed. Won't touch the bearing.

[dma1260]

I got the dust cap off and the two nuts and lock plate off. Thats not the issue . . it the drum (my bad . . not the hub) it's the drum I can't get off. I tried to pull it off with the tire on . . no go. Tried to wack it with rubber mallet . . nothing.

I mad sure I dialed back the brake shoes so they are not touching the drum . . and I checked by turning the drum and it turns with no resistance. Drum does not want to come off !!!

Again . . no nuts spindle.

Tricks . . thoughts . . and or suggestions ?! Do I need a bearing puller . . (had to be pretty BIG ?) any suggestions.

Boo Sparx

[BulliBill]

Sounds like you need to borrow/rent a drum puller, lots of threads of store-bought and home-made pullers. It sounds like you backed off the brake shoes, maybe not enough?

When you get time, please correct the title of your thread from "hub" to "drum" to help others in searching threads for help. If you were in town, I'd loan you mine, but you should be able to rent or borrow one locally.

Bill Bowman
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Thanks for any help!

[novetti]

Have you backed off the brake adjusters both sides completely?

Crack open the brake hose / hard line connection to release any pressure build up you might have from lack of pushrod adjustment at the master.

Once upon a time I had pull to one side due to a ''lazy'' wheel cylinder. It was tighter in the bore than the others so when fluid was pushed it would still move but displace less than the others...

[Starbucket]

Have you pressed down on the brake pedal after backing off the adjusters, you said you have a very high brake pedal, so it should go to the floor now if not, you have a hydraulic lock and need to crack the bleeders on the front wheel cyl.s. Do that and they should pull off.