any tips on freeing up a stuck brake drum???

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Mr Blotto
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any tips on freeing up a stuck brake drum???

Post by Mr Blotto » Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:17 pm

Heat? If so where?

Beat the snot out of it with a 2-3 lb hammer? If so where?

PB Blaster? If so where?

I got a bloddy knuckle, a bashed thumb, an aching back and Colin hasn't even gotten here yet. :geek: :geek:
1978 Sage Green Westy - 2.0 FI - SOLD WITH 109887 miles :-(

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:23 pm

Have you backed off the adjusters?
You don't want to get all crazy and crack the drum, but some well placed whacks can't hurt. Just be mindful of the bearings. Have never been there myself, good luck.
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Mr Blotto
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Post by Mr Blotto » Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:38 pm

hambone wrote:Have you backed off the adjusters?
You don't want to get all crazy and crack the drum, but some well placed whacks can't hurt. Just be mindful of the bearings. Have never been there myself, good luck.
The star adjuster?
1978 Sage Green Westy - 2.0 FI - SOLD WITH 109887 miles :-(

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:47 pm

Mr Blotto wrote:
The star adjuster?
Correct. That will draw the pads in and, hopefully, allow you to pull the drum off. IIRC, I had a bit of lip on the inside of the drum, and that was a little tricky, but I bet you'll figure it out.

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Mr Blotto
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Post by Mr Blotto » Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:03 pm

chitwnvw wrote:
Mr Blotto wrote:
The star adjuster?
Correct. That will draw the pads in and, hopefully, allow you to pull the drum off. IIRC, I had a bit of lip on the inside of the drum, and that was a little tricky, but I bet you'll figure it out.
I assume that I do that via the little access holes on the back of the backing plate?
1978 Sage Green Westy - 2.0 FI - SOLD WITH 109887 miles :-(

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:04 pm

Early bay has a hole in the drum itself but not sure of the %#%#)% cheapened out buses. What a world...
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:34 pm

You are correct, Blotto. I found this which goes over the way you want to move the stars:

http://itinerant-air-cooled.com/viewtopic.php?t=7945

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Xelmon
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Post by Xelmon » Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:42 pm

... Knowing my logic as a eastern European...

Whack it with a big hammer with a piece of wood to cushion it.

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Randy in Maine
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Post by Randy in Maine » Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:02 pm

I have a small sharp chisel that fits in the brake adjustment holes and a few taps with a ball peen hammer will loosen the star wheels to allow the brake drum to come off.

If you spay some PB Blaster in there, use caution to prevent it from getting on the brake shoes or you will end up replacing them.

I like to polish up those star wheels on the wire brush wheel at the bench grinder to remove any rust and lube them up with a 50/50 mix of wheel bearing grease/anti-sneeze. I also like to clean up the brake drum with a wire brush and paint it with BBQ paint.
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Mr Blotto
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Post by Mr Blotto » Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:59 pm

Can someone tell me which direction I would need to turn the stars to loosen the shoes?
1978 Sage Green Westy - 2.0 FI - SOLD WITH 109887 miles :-(

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:01 pm

Read the Chitown link lazybutt.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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Mr Blotto
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Post by Mr Blotto » Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:58 pm

hambone wrote:Read the Chitown link lazybutt.
Mr Lazybutt here,

Looks like one of the stars is frozen...can only turn the left one...drum still will not budge.

I hate rust.

I will keep at it, but if I don't get it, hopefully Colin will have some ideas tomorrow.

Did I mention I hate rust?
1978 Sage Green Westy - 2.0 FI - SOLD WITH 109887 miles :-(

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Wed Jun 02, 2010 6:44 pm

Mr Blotto wrote: Mr Lazybutt here,

Looks like one of the stars is frozen...can only turn the left one...drum still will not budge.
have a small sharp chisel that fits in the brake adjustment holes and a few taps with a ball peen hammer will loosen the star wheels to allow the brake drum to come off.
Talk about lazy.

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Xelmon
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Post by Xelmon » Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:08 pm

Mr Blotto wrote:Looks like one of the stars is frozen...can only turn the left one...drum still will not budge.

I hate rust.

I will keep at it, but if I don't get it, hopefully Colin will have some ideas tomorrow.

Did I mention I hate rust?
Hammer time! XD

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vwlover77
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Post by vwlover77 » Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:40 pm

Um... I know these are stupid questions, but I gotta ask.

You have the parking brake released, correct???

You've removed the small bolt that hold the drum to the hub, correct???
Don

---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick

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