51 3100 rear drum removal help?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

51 okie · 12-22-2010, 01:39 PM

I am trying to just replace brakes on the original rear end. Ive removed the retaining clips on the outside of drum, but the drum remains on.

I've tried the pry, hammer, etc method to no avail. Is there something I'm not getting??

Not too much info in the old shop manual on pulling thr drums. It just
says,"Remove brake drum from axle shaft." What good does that do me???

Help is appreciated as usual. Thanks

OrrieG · 12-22-2010, 03:50 PM

This brings back traumatic memories. I had one drum on mine that took 3 major tries over 6 months to get off (I wasn't in a hurry). My advice:

Make sure the shoes are turned all the way in, some times the drum has a lip on the inside back from wear that catches on the drum.

Lots of your favorite rust release (WD 40, etc.) around where the axle goes thru the center of the drum, that area will rust up. Make sure the axle protrusion does not have any rust build up (emery cloth it).

BFH to help vibrate the drum and axle.

Big puller. I ended up welding mine to the drum, I could not get it to hold just by the arms hooking the back of the drum. Put it on and apply pressure. hammer the drum and axle to see if it breaks loose.

It that doesn't work apply a little heat, sometime that works to break things loose.

Mine finally cut loose after I kept the pressure on it for about a week with generious applications of every solvent, rust remover, penetrant I could find on a daily schedule.
I just kept cranking on it then one day I went out and it had popped loose. I took a grinder to the center hole to open it up.

Good luck.

Spackle100 · 12-22-2010, 03:55 PM

Wow, i'm really not looking forward to this now...

51 okie · 12-22-2010, 04:39 PM

nice. thanks orrie. I got 'er soakin up the WD40. Wire brush on a drill around the axle. Adjuster all the way down. BFH , of course. Didn't realize there was a drum puller. I'll keep an eye out for that. I don't have a torch so ...... I'll be in the driveway! Lucky for me though I'm on my laptop out here so that helps.

**mr48chev** · 12-22-2010, 09:53 PM

Work your way around the drum with the bfh a couple of times and see if it starts to come loose from the axle. Don't what ever you do beat on the axle flange or it will never come off. You might want to put some pressure with a pry bar between the drum and backing plate on one side while you give it a good lick on the other side too.
Worse comes to worse you can pull the cover and pull the axle drum and all and then get it off the axle.

12-22-2010, 01:39 PM	#1
51 okie Active Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tulsa,OK Posts: 104	51 3100 rear drum removal help?? I am trying to just replace brakes on the original rear end. Ive removed the retaining clips on the outside of drum, but the drum remains on. I've tried the pry, hammer, etc method to no avail. Is there something I'm not getting?? Not too much info in the old shop manual on pulling thr drums. It just says,"Remove brake drum from axle shaft." What good does that do me??? Help is appreciated as usual. Thanks

12-22-2010, 03:50 PM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 51 3100 rear drum removal help?? This brings back traumatic memories. I had one drum on mine that took 3 major tries over 6 months to get off (I wasn't in a hurry). My advice: Make sure the shoes are turned all the way in, some times the drum has a lip on the inside back from wear that catches on the drum. Lots of your favorite rust release (WD 40, etc.) around where the axle goes thru the center of the drum, that area will rust up. Make sure the axle protrusion does not have any rust build up (emery cloth it). BFH to help vibrate the drum and axle. Big puller. I ended up welding mine to the drum, I could not get it to hold just by the arms hooking the back of the drum. Put it on and apply pressure. hammer the drum and axle to see if it breaks loose. It that doesn't work apply a little heat, sometime that works to break things loose. Mine finally cut loose after I kept the pressure on it for about a week with generious applications of every solvent, rust remover, penetrant I could find on a daily schedule. I just kept cranking on it then one day I went out and it had popped loose. I took a grinder to the center hole to open it up. Good luck. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project Last edited by OrrieG; 12-22-2010 at 03:52 PM.

12-22-2010, 03:55 PM	#3
Spackle100 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cardiff, CA Posts: 131	Re: 51 3100 rear drum removal help?? Wow, i'm really not looking forward to this now...

12-22-2010, 04:39 PM	#4
51 okie Active Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tulsa,OK Posts: 104	Re: 51 3100 rear drum removal help?? nice. thanks orrie. I got 'er soakin up the WD40. Wire brush on a drill around the axle. Adjuster all the way down. BFH , of course. Didn't realize there was a drum puller. I'll keep an eye out for that. I don't have a torch so ...... I'll be in the driveway! Lucky for me though I'm on my laptop out here so that helps.

12-22-2010, 09:53 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,817	Re: 51 3100 rear drum removal help?? Work your way around the drum with the bfh a couple of times and see if it starts to come loose from the axle. Don't what ever you do beat on the axle flange or it will never come off. You might want to put some pressure with a pry bar between the drum and backing plate on one side while you give it a good lick on the other side too. Worse comes to worse you can pull the cover and pull the axle drum and all and then get it off the axle.



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