rear drums

[robtc]

I am confused. I have a '55 champion and I was intending to replace all the brake shoes and cylinders, front and rear. Fronts no problem. With the rears I had heard all of the warnings about making sure I had the correct puller so I made sure I had it.

I pulled the rear tires off and looked at the drums and said, to myself, "hmmm, these don't seem to be the 'puller' kind." I grabbed hold and the drum came right off. I replaced the cylinder, shoes and replaced the drum and wheel. Went to the other side. Same thing.

What gives? Did someone bless me with a flange axle replacement before I bought the car?

[rockne10]

Without pictures... I can only assume so. If your axles were tapered, and the drums came off that easily, you were in danger of imminent catastrophe.

[JDP]

My guess is the drums were not swagged to the hub studs or you have a late flanged rear axle.

JDP/Maryland
"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Thomas Jefferson

[Dick Steinkamp]

Could be the drums weren't swedged to the studs? Generally not a problem.

Could also be a late Lark flanged axle. They are the same width as your car and a bolt in (AFAIK).

Post a picture.



Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA

[Roscomacaw]

What Dick said. And unless they fit sloppily when you put them back on, they should do OK. I'd use a torque wrench when you tighten the lug nuts, since they'll be holding the drum in place as well as the wheel.[^]

Miscreant Studebaker nut in California's central valley.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[showbizkid]

Rob, I found the same thing when I first took the wheels off my car. A PO had cut the swages on all 4 corners; my drums come off without pullers of any kind. I'm betting that's what you've got, as well.


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard

http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

[StudeRich]

Just look at the end of the axle, if it is flat it is a flanged axle, if it has a castellated nut,washer and cotter pin, it's a standard tapered axle with an improperly assembled Hub/Drum.

quote:Originally posted by robtc

What gives? Did someone bless me with a flange axle replacement before I bought the car?

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA