Trouble removing rear hubs of a mid 30's MOPAR

[Guest Rob1960]

I'm having trouble removing the rear hubs on my 1936 Dodge. For some reason they're fused on too tight to break loose. No one in my area seems to have a hub puller big enough for this era car. I've tried heating the axel center of the hub with a torch, and hitting the back side of the wheel with a sledg hammer. Nothing works. I'd appreciate any suggestions about other methods to break it loose, or where I might purchase a big enough hub puller. I need to do some rear brake lining work. Thanks. Robert Perry robertperry@citlink.net .

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Well, as far as pullers go, you need the really beefy three-legged puller that gets secured to the drum using the wheel lugs, and has a "dog-bone" spinner on the center bolt that bears against the axle... just like in the shop manual pictures. No other kind of puller is appropriate!

Even with that puller, sometimes these things won't budge.

Here's another trick, if the car is driveable: loosen the big nut on the axle on each side about 1/2 turn, then put the cotter pin back in. Find a place where you can drive the car in a circle ( parking lot, field ?). Drive the car in a tight circle, alternating between going forwards and backwards, and changing from left circle to right circle... this will often pop the drums...

I once had a 1948 International truck with tapered rear axles, and those drums were so tightly bound that I had to put the puller on, tighten it up as much as I could, AND do the circle-trick... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Also, when using the puller, loosen the big nut, but leave it on the axle, to protect the threads... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pullers can be rented...

Good luck !

[CTraveler]

When you get the puller tight, whack the end while under tension to set vibs thru the hub. Sometimes work.

[55PackardGuy]

Frank, please, if you can tell me, <span style="font-style: italic">where</span> can one look for a puller to rent?

Thanks for the "driving it loose" tip. It happens the car is on a small farm where there is ample field space for just that kind of maneuvering!

Thanks again.

[Guest imported_BaronvonR]

There is a fellow in Michigan...Les Fairbanks...that makes them and from what I hear is an excellent puller...he guarantees it to get off any rear hub or he refunds your $$...It is $100 plus $10 for shipping, in my opinion, it should be part of your "standard" tool equipment, if you are going to keep owning MoPars. His email is lessue@parrett.net for more info.

BvR

[Reg Evans]

J C Whitney has two models of the wheel puller. One at $29.00 and a bigger one at $55.00.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Produ...tt=wheel+puller

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Guy,

Around here, most Auto parts stores rent various pullers, etc.

Or, check with the oldest, grubbiest service station in town, and see if they have one they'll let you borrow.

Also, Jeeps and AMC's used tapered rear-axles into the 1970s, so the local Jeep agency might be able to help you...

Good luck !

[55PackardGuy]

I'm off to find the oldest, grubbiest Jeep mechanic in town. Thanks Frank!

Many thanks also to Baron and Reg... those sound like good deals if I can't "beg or borrow!" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[CTraveler]

Big puller on EBay now,you might have to pull the axle assbly and have them put it in their hydrulic press and press it off that way.

[CTraveler]

Maybe have a shop press it off

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Only hitch here is that you have to get the drum off first, then un-bolt the bearing seal/retainer before you can pull the axle... unlike GM's "c-clip" axle retainers...

Sadly, the drum has to come-off first...

The right puller makes all the difference...