Stuck drum

[59ghia]

Hello fellow Zers

New to the game here. Just picked up a 72 and am currently going through it. (It's been sittin' around a few years) I am not able to get one of the drums off. Backed off the adjuster, soaked with wd-40 and beat the tar out of it with a soft blow hammer. Ok, I started with some gentle taps. Tried heatn' it, pullin it and pryn' it. Any other ideas? Seems like a real tight tolerance around the axle. Helpp!

Thanks Dave

[Daniel]

From the center of the drum out to the wheel studs is made up of one metal plate.It rust/bonds to the drum.I would squirt liquid wrench into those areas and let it soak a while.Put a 2x4 against the back edge of the drum and hit that with a REAL hammer.I put a couple of nuts on loose so that the drum can't come flying off (don't you wish!).After you tap and soak awhile it'll come off. Have Fun!! Daniel

[kmack]

I've used a gear puller when I've had stuck drums.

You'll need one big enough to open up to 11-1/2" or 12". Anything smaller and it won't hold on. Place the teeth of the jaws on the fins of the drum (a 3-jaw puller is the best for centering) and tighten it down until it's just past snug. Then beat on the centering pin of the puller w/ a hammer. This will help loosen up the drum. You may need to keep tightening the puller to keep it snug and on the drum. Eventually it'll come off.

Be patient and persistent.

[beandip]

I had the same thing on my '73 . Have patience and work with it. I found that soaking the center axel fit with WD-40 and taping the back side of the fins. I tap on the the area to the rear of the car then rotate the drum 1/2 turn then repete . I do that a couple of times them rotate 1/4 turn and continue this procedure untill it pops loose . On reassembly coat axel fit with ANTI SEZE , I used a ball pean hammer and just keep taping , I took the most difficult one about 1/2 hr to come loose, with no damage done to the drums fins. Good luck

[Cels240]

I had the same problem years back...what I was told to do was to get a big hammer and start hitting the outside lip of the drum..

or the corner portion of the drum...yes I thought this would make it even worse, but it worked.

Good luck,

Cel

[2ManyZs]

It is possible too that the adjuster is not backing off the shoes enough. If nothing else, drill out the hole in the drum a little bigger so you can see for sure. It is also possible the drum is grooved to the point the shoes may not clear the ridge unless the adjsuster is completely bottomed out.

Another problem area is where the drum meets the axle flange, the drum being aluminum corrodes against the steel and can make it very difficult to pull the drum. If you get it off, take a file around the axle flange to clean it up and also on the drum to make sure it won't hang up again if you re-use the drum.

Another thing I happened to think about, and it sounds like a dumb thing but it has been known to happen. Before trying to remove a drum, I always take the pin out of the emergency brake cable. If the e-brake cable is out of adjustment it could be holding the brakes on somewhat. Of course it goes without saying, that the e-brake should be fully released too. Don't think this hasn't happened before, it has, if the handle is up even one notch it could be applying the brake enough to make it almost impossible to remove the drum. You would be surprised how many of us have gotten in a hurry and forgotten to release the hand brake. :tapemouth Of course, a lot of people probably won't admit to this.

[59ghia]

Picked up a monster 15 inch puller from our shop here at work and with all the great advice from fellow Z'ers I can't lose!

I will have all brakes done this weekend (positive 'tude) . Carbs go on monday after work, Fluid changes this weekend also and hope to drive my "new Z" in a week! Then goes the interior etc.

Thanks again for the super advice!

Dave

[59ghia]

The drum is off!!! It took the monster puller and a good beating!

It came off with a bang! All brakes are now fresh, off to the carbs!

Thanks to all fellow Zers' for their help

Dave:D