The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Drum REMOVAL?

Would really like to take off rear drums to replace shoes on our 63 C20 fleetside. It has very sticky-outy hubs which have x8 bolts at the end and something in the middle that looks as though it might twist. Wheel is 8-lug, rear ends looks weapons-grade size and houses 4.56 slowlane specials. Have some splendid pics on mobile but mobile is petulant and refuses to cooporate in sharing. It suffices to say rears are nothing like those charmers up front.

You have to remove the axle first, it's held in place by the bolts in the center of the hub. After the axle is out, there's a nut, a lock ring and an inner nut to remove. Now the drum is no longer fastened to the axle tube, but may drag on the shoes if they've been adjusted in recent times,
Good luck,
Scott

Thank you for taking the time to respond, Scott. But like so many answers they always lead to more questions..... Why on earth do the hubs stick out so? I'm sure there is logic but its missed on me. Would someone care to throw in an explanation for this arrangment and this elaborate proceedure, in order to simply remove a drum - especially considering everything else on this truck seems designed as 'easykeep'.

It's a heavier duty design with two big bearings supporting the load instead of just one, per wheel. The axle just "floats" in the housing without actually supporting the truck where the 1/2 tons put the load on the drive axle. It's just how they do the heavier trucks, pretty much the same design up into the medium duty trucks as well,
Scott

after you get it out you'll see how easy the floating axle is. if you ever have to remove the axle you'll wish 1/2 tons were made the same way. i have had good luck reusing the gasket behind axle shaft face. the whole thing is easy to remove, easy to install. good luck.