Itinerant Air-Cooled

When working on your brakes, do you remove the wheel from the drum? I have seen both methods recommended, just wondering what seems to work best. I have tried either, it does seem a lot heavier and awkward with the tire in the way, but it is easier than taking the damned thing off...
Thanks just looking for 10 cents and change.

I always pull the tire/rim off when working on the brakes. On a bus/bug/ghia, I first loosen the rear axle nut then pull the wheel off.

hambone wrote:When working on your brakes, do you remove the wheel from the drum? I have seen both methods recommended, just wondering what seems to work best. I have tried either, it does seem a lot heavier and awkward with the tire in the way, but it is easier than taking the damned thing off...
Thanks just looking for 10 cents and change.

Early bus, I definitely leave wheel bolted to drum.
Late bus with composite drums, take wheel and two little 11mm bolts off, then drum.
Late bus when I need access to whole brake area, I remove wheel/drum/hub as a unit.
Colin

That is cool, means I've been doing too much work! I think Muir says to keep it on too.

hambone wrote:That is cool, means I've been doing too much work! I think Muir says to keep it on too.

That goes for for front wheel drum brakes and all bus bearing jobs, too.
Colin