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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Rear drum removal 1954 Coronet

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Expert: - 10/16/2008


Question
I can not remove the rear drums on my 1954 dodge coronet. I am using a heavy duty puller that you hit with a hammer to turn the center pressing shaft. The drum is stuck so bad that the puller is damaging the threads on the axle shaft. I have heated the hub with a torch even glowing it red around the shaft to no avail. The puller has even stripped the threads on one stud. Any suggestions?

Answer
One little trick to using one of those pullers is to smack the end of the puller screw pretty hard while there is pressure on the puller. This some times shocks the hub loose. Also when I use this type of puller I put the nut on backwards so that it is just flush with the end of the shaft. Now I have had these things stick on so bad that I have had to slice the hub with a cut off wheel and wedge it open with a chisel.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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