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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Brake Drum on 1964 Ford pickup

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Expert: - 2/5/2008


Question
Good morning,

I am getting ready to take the brake drums off of my 1964 Ford Pickup, so I can install a disc brake conversion.  I believe these will be stubborn and will not easily come off.

Is these any special "puller" I can rent to pull these drums??  I have read where I need to back the brake shoes off a little.  I know some are hard to get off.  Can you please help me?  Thanks.

JD

Answer
Is the truck a 100 series one half ton? three quarter ton and bigger use a heavy duty axle that requires taking out the axle shafts and taking the drums off by removing the wheel bearings. Most of the time the one half ton drums come off relatively easy. I would spray penetrating oil around the axle flange where the drums mount several days before you  plan on working on the truck. Then remove the wheels and take off the thin sheet metal retaining nuts that may be on the lug studs. If the drum won't move on the axle flange give it several sharp raps with a hammer around the outer edge in line with the axle flange. You may have to loosen the adjustment but there is no puller made for this job.
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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