1924DB Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 I am trying to replace some 20" wooden spoke wheels on my '24 DB coupe that were placed on the car many years ago in order to use larger tires on the family farm. I want to go back to the original 24" spoked wheels all around but I cannot figure out how to get the old rear wheels, hubs and brake drums off the end of the axle. I've removed the cotter pin and castle-nut from the end of the axle but need some advice as to what I am looking at. I don't want to tear something up. Will I need some sort of a "puller" to remove the old wheel, hub and brake drum off of what I assume is the splined end of the axle or should it just pull off by working at it? If a puller is usually needed, I can't imagine where it would attach to the wooden wheel. Any help will be much appreciated.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gboy Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 RonIn order to remove rear wheel, you will need a wheel puller. The type you need will thread on the hub the same as the hub cap, there is a bolt in the middle of the puller. Once threaded on, just screw the bolt in until tight, them tap with a heavy hammer, this should loosen wheel from tapered axle. I have seen these pullers on e-bay, also check around with other DB members in the area as someone close might have one you can borrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 Yes, I see how the puller would work using the hubcap threads. There may be one lying around this old place somewhere since the family still had two of the Master Rim Tools in an old storage boxcar. I'll have to get a picture of the puller to see what I'm looking for. I don't know of anyone nearby who has and old DB but I'll check eBay if I can't locate one. Thanks for the help.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 gboy,Does this look like the puller you are talking about? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-H...sspagenameZWDVW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest groscap Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 You may need to apply some heat to the hub with a torch while using the puller. Often times they rust together and old grease can also act like glue, holding the bearings on. If this doesn't work, I can give you a few more tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">gboy,Does this look like the puller you are talking about? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-H...sspagenameZWDVW </div></div>It looks like that one, but the starting price is kind of high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 2, 2007 Author Share Posted February 2, 2007 Thanks. At least now I know what I'm looking for. I prepared a "Favorite Search" at eBay for the puller so maybe something will come up if I can't find one around here. No hurry I suppose. I should just wait until warmer weather to replace the DB's rear tires and wheels. The shop gets pretty chilly in these months. In the mean time I've got to put my heads back on my my GMC Sierra this weekend so my project list is pretty full. I overheated my 350 and cracked a head last week when my alternator pulley came off throwing the serpentine belt. Yep, sometimes idiot lights would better serve us dunderheads who watch our gauages too seldom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwollam Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Does the car run? If so, you can loosen up the nut, replace the cotterpin and drive around the yard a couple times and they will usually loosen right up. Works for me. If not drivable, correct puller is needed.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Anselmo Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Some good info. It worked for me on my Fast Four...http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/durant/. Go to the Special Interest Section and then click on the Wheel Puller link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_RAH Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Ron, It just occurred to me that you are trying to remove 20" wheels from a car for which 20" wheels are in fact correct. The 24" wheels you refer to were last used on '23. The '24 switched to 20" and the '25 went up to 21" That remained to '28 when they went down to 19". Just thought you might like to know.Rodger "Dodger" Hartley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 3, 2007 Author Share Posted February 3, 2007 Hi Dave,I had come across posts about driving the car to loosen the hubs but, although the car would probably run with a little bit of work, I just haven't gotten that far yet. However, the car was backed into a west Texas barn in 1942 so I'm sure it has some issues now. My thought was to get it on some good rubber before I started messing with the engine.There are a couple of antique pullers on eBay right now but I'm not sure what size I need. I measure the DB's rear hubs at about 2.5" diameter and with 16 threads per inch. Does this sound right?Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 3, 2007 Author Share Posted February 3, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some good info. It worked for me on my Fast Four...http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/durant/. Go to the Special Interest Section and then click on the Wheel Puller link. </div></div>Thanks. I had come across this Durant information yesterday but unfortunately all the grease guns I've checked so far are just a bit smaller diameter than my 2.5" hub. I wonder if there are more grease gun diameters? I have access to an old RR box car full of old nuts, bolts, old car parts, and other unknown items (inherited box car along with the DB coupe). So far I have not located a hub puller in the box car but there are numerous old grease guns. Maybe I should check them all out before I write off the Durant puller idea. If I could just locate a steel nut large enough to fit the hub threads, I believe I could use a large washer behind it and my regular puller (with arms.) Just a thought.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 3, 2007 Author Share Posted February 3, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ron, It just occurred to me that you are trying to remove 20" wheels from a car for which 20" wheels are in fact correct. The 24" wheels you refer to were last used on '23. The '24 switched to 20" and the '25 went up to 21" That remained to '28 when they went down to 19". Just thought you might like to know.Rodger "Dodger" Hartley </div></div>Roger,I may need to check my title again but I'm sure it says 1924. The car was bought new in 1924 in eastern New Mexico by my wife's grandfather. As long as I can recall the car has had the 20" wheels on the rear and 24"s on the front. The story I got from my now-deceased father-in-law was that his dad had changed out the two rear wheels to 20" so he could put larger tires on the rear. One of the uses of the car was in the family's custom combining business in the 1930s. They had removed the trunk lid and built a small wooden bed in its place where they could place a 55 gallon drum of gasoline for the combines. The story was that the larger tires were needed to carry the extra weight. I also recall seeing some 24" bud steel wheels in the old barn where the car had been stored. However, now you have me wondering if my title is correct. BTW, the old trunk lid that had been removed was stored in the barn where the car was placed in 1942. The lid is now back on the car.Pictures of the old car may be seen at: http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1820944Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwollam Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Roger really knows his stuff but I have to respectfully disagree on the '23 being the last 24" wheels. I have multiple sets of 24" wheels and 2 sets came on '24 cars. My touring has the spare mount and all that is 24". My '25 sedan had 20" wheels. I was under the impression they went to 21" in late '26 but not postitive on that. I think 24" were at least optional on '24 cars. If I am not mistaken, Gerry Eglands very original '24 coupe also has 24" wood wheels.I too have looked at the grease gun/puller setup and found them too small for the Dodge hubs. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 4, 2007 Author Share Posted February 4, 2007 I guess I need to familiarize myself more with the history of the Dodge Brothers and their cars. Having once owned a bookshop that dealt in family history, I do have an 1894 book called "GENEALOGY OF THE DODGE FAMILY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASS 1629-1894" that deals with some of the Michigan families and includes mention of John and Horace Dodge. However, in 1894 when the book was published the brothers had not yet formed their auto company. Somewhere I also have a 1924 "Dodge Book of Information". Maybe it has some information about the wheel sizes. I was once a member of the DB Club but let my membership lapse some years ago. Don't know why. I found the "Club News" to be invaluable at times. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Not sure if you found out yet, but I measured my '24 hubs. They are 2.437 {2 7/16}X 16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_RAH Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 O.K. Guys, Here's the thing. While the Lo pressure 6 ply 30 x 5.77 tires (20") were introduced on prototype gussied up Deluxe models and referred to as 'Special' in Jan '24 at a Auto show, the 9th Ed Master Parts book shows them to be on production cars in Oct. '24 at A-207323 (Technically '25 series). Don Butler's articles indicate the 'Special' series had the 20" wheels while the 'Standard' models continued with the 24" wheels. By the way, the switch up to 21" wheels occurred at the end of '25, actually Jan '26 at A-512525. The attached pix of this coupe shows a nickle plated rad. shell so might be classed as 'Special'. As such it may or may not have had the 20" wheels. Further information will be needed on the car's serial number. It will be located on the right frame rail above the rear spring shackle just up under the fender.Rodger "Dodger" Hartley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 RAH, were the specials always deluxes first? My neighbor has a standard roadster that is red and white, like the group of specials that maybe{?} AAA used back in '24 as a promotion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 5, 2007 Author Share Posted February 5, 2007 Roger,Thanks for the information. I'll try and get the serial number today and post it here. I don't have it in front of me here in Texas and the title and old registration papers are in my safe at Albuquerque.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1924DB Posted February 5, 2007 Author Share Posted February 5, 2007 Roger,I believe the serial number of my DB coupe is A-235803. I found this number on an aluminum tag on passenger side toe board.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 That number would make it built between Jan. 1 and Jan. 16 of '25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_RAH Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Sorry to be so tardy with this. The whole model description thing is confusing. These data are not forthcoming in the Master Parts books, only in articles and sales brocures, etc. As I understand the 'Special' designation is a term applied to what was previously 'Deluxe' after adding some things to try to boost lagging sales. I do not believe these were coexistent. Your coupe, while having the nickle rad. shell, does not have cowl lights so cannot positively state the model form looking. According to that serial number it would be considered a '25 model.Rodger "Dodger" Hartley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Rodger, thanks for the answer to my question. But as usual, every time I think I understand something about DBs I have more questions then answers. So as not to highjack this thread any more I will ask you privetely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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