Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

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Not sure when they changed the bolt pattern, but on my '37, the bolt pattern is about 1" too large in diameter to use the Autozone puller.

The studs pull back the rim of the brake drum until it pops off the center.

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That's interesting. On the drums I'm familiar with, the tapered hub the bolts thread into and pull off is a fairly substantial forging and the thinner drum is just riveted to that. If the drum flexed that much on those, I'd hate to see what was happening to the flange on the hub the drum is riveted to.

Forgings do not bend appreciably. I have never seen a drum rim budge at all let alone look like horses lips parting. The force of a puller is on the studs/bolts which in turn pull on the forged hub. There is no force placed on the rim of the drum or for that matter on any part of the drum. If a drum were distorted like this it would be permanently damaged and unusable.

I do not believe this occurs.

Thank you for all the replies, do the front have to us a puller as well?

Usually no, just back off the adjuster, remove the nut, washer and outer bearing and the brake drum should come off without too much effort.

OK, everyone stay calm. Just sharing my experience. The rim doesn't bend back like the rubber cover on the overdrive solenoid.

When you're pulling a drum on a big car that hasn't had it done for a very long time, its hard to believe the drum can handle the amount of force the wheel puller puts on it and still not come off. And it does seem like it will break before it will come off, but it will come off , and with such a very loud bang, like a 30.06, that neighbors may come over to investigate. Not Everyone's neighbors may come over, but that was my experience.

A little hyperbole is good for the soul. Follow the instructions of the more knowledgeable guides on this forum, but keep my experience in the back of your mind. Your drums may slide right off, but you may reach the point where you feel the rims of the drum are bent back like a mule laughing. Stay with it because they will pop off.

Joe

Sometimes if you have an adjustment you can back off the adjustment and bring the shoes closer together. Most of the time the drums will have an edge on them from wear, that catches the edges of the brake shoes and hang up severely.

Thanks for all the replies guys brakes are done as of this morning, had the rotors turned to ensure smooth braking... Stops on a dime now... On a different note I had 3 brake pads cracked, is that due to age?


Thanks again..

The shoe linings were cracked, or the actual shoe frame was cracked?