The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Stuck star wheels on 2.5 T '58 Chevy

Hello! - got a little problem w/ rear axle star wheels on a 58 Spartan w/ the Chevy 2-spd. rear. It has Dayton wheels, so I've got a heavy drum/hub assembly that I can't get past the drum lip (there is a little bit of clearance because the drum will spin). I've got the star wheels treated with PB Blaster, but they won't budge. Frustrating, but I'm not ready to get the sledge out just yet. I can't really use a puller even if I had one big enough, as there is no center to push against. I had thought about using a couple of small hydraulic jacks horizontally betw. the truck frame and drum edges, and try to force her on past the lip - of course, the less force, the less broken or bent parts. What ideas do you have? Thanks for any and all input!

Hy jaycoop, if you make up a plug to fit in the axle tube you can push against that with your puller, use a heavy plate, and try to index the plate so it is centered in the axle tube. At this point something will be damaged when you pull the drums off, hopefully it will just be the brake linings, good luck!

Can you unbolt the entire backing plate and take the brake shoes, wheel cylinder and hub off all in one piece?

I had to do this with my '46 that I got. After getting the nuts off of the 5(I think) bolts it all came off as an assembly and I could free up the shoes once off. I ended up having to cut the nuts off with a torch as they were too rusted for a socket. If you are careful with the torch you won't even hurt the bolt.

Tad

Thanks guys, for the ideas - both are worth trying.....