brake drum removal

[flashley18]

I am trying to remove the rear drums from my 71 Charger after sitting for 26 years.  They turn well but will not come off the axle.  Any suggestions.  Is there such a thing as a drum puller?  Help

[Ghoste]

Have you tried backing off the adjusters?

[General_01]

They may be rusted to the axle hub. You may need to use some wd-40 or liquid wrench. Spray it and let it sit. Also, as Ghoste pointed out, there may be a ridge on the inside of the drum that is catching on the shoes. Backing of the adjusters will pull the shoes out of the way.

After sitting for 26 years, I am going to bet they are rusted to the hub though.

[flashley18]

I have backed off the adjusters.  They do appear to be rusted to the axles. I guess I will just keep soaking them in liquid wrench.  Thanks

[Rolling_Thunder]

are you going to keep them ?  A car i worked on had this problem so i got the OK from my boss to remove them by any means possible...   soaked them for a day but still didnt budge so i gently for a large screwsriver and worked it around the rear prying it off little by little...   until it broke the corrosion....    this didnt hurt the drum in my case but they were crap anyway....     just sort of a "last resort"     

[RD]

use a small ball peen hammer and bang on the area between the wheel studs.  this will help break the rusts adhesiveness between the drum and the axle.

[Chryco Psycho]

I use a hammer as well

[dd44068]

I agree with the ball peen if it still does not work go and get a B.F.H.

[Ghoste]

Of course, once you move up to the bfh, if you hit it hard enough you'll just bang the center of the drum right out.  If it's rusted on that bad though, it likely isn't worth saving.

[flashley18]

Hitting the drums around the studs did the trick.  They finally broke free.  Thanks for the advice.  This is a great forum,