1927 Buick Master6 looking for advice

[Guest Skipper]

As I am new to antique cars and have recently become the proud owner of a 1927 Master 6, At least that's what the title says it is, I am in need of sage advice. Specifically, how do you remove the rear wheels and hub? I have talked to a few people in the forum, or recommended from others, and have been told different things and that some of them could be harmful to the old girl. We named her Madeline. Any help would be greatful.

[CarlLaFong]

You need the proper puller that screws onto the hub and bears against the end of the axle

[Guest Skipper]

I called George McMurtry! who makes them and here commended not using it on the rear axle.

[CarlLaFong]

Huh?!?!

Well, if the guy that makes then says not to use them, then I'd ask him how to get them off. I know of no other way to get wood wheel hubs off other than a sledge hammer

[Larry Schramm]

I called George McMurtry! who makes them and here commended not using it on the rear axle.

Now that does not make any sense... but that is what I use to get the rear wheeles off my vehicles and George made the puller for my truck.

Another way that you might get the rear wheels off is to loosen the rear axle nuts at the wheels and leave about 1/8 of an inch clearance between the nut and the wheel. Then go out and drive the car in circle 8's. Should have a chance of them breaking loose. Good luck.

[Greg H.]

I used one of George's pullers to pull a rear wheel that wouldn't budge after years of trying, even ruined a nice original tool before I used his (still upset about that). His are a nice copy of the original, only much stronger. He guaranteed me that it would work and boy did it. Below is my wheel with the puller still on the hub.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Greg H. (see edit history)

[Mark Shaw]

The old timers would jack up the opposite wheel to put all the weight on the wheel being removed. Loosen the axle nut to the end of the axle, then with a wood 2X4 over the end of the axle & nut, hit the wood firmly with a sledge.

This works by actually moving the car away from the wheel and the impact of the hammer helps jar the hub loose from the tapered axle. The nut must be in place to keep the wheel from falling off the car.

[CarlLaFong]

Something's not right here. There has to be a miscommunication or something, because there is no better way to pull these types of wheels than the type of puller that McMurtry supplies. Anything else is either makeshift or Mickey Mouse and has the potential to ruin something expensive or irreplaceable.

[nickelroadster]

He has to have recommended to use one. If you can't use these on a rear axle , then what good are they?

[Guest]

I have used both the sledge hammer and the proper puller. I have had my back wheels off about six times in 54 years. Both methods work but the puller is by far the easiest and best way to go.