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Mike77 · Guest

I've finally gotten around to checking my back brakes on my project car. YIKES! Any good tips on removal of the axle nut and hub? It looks like a nightmare. Is a socket (36mm?) the way to go or is it better to go with a vw/Porsche axle nut wrench? I've also heard that a standard wheel puller won't work; it must be a super-industrial strength hub puller. True?
Thanks,
Mike

bacook · Guest

it is 36mm, and you need something that can produce 400ft/lbs of torque. A long breaker bar works, but I like a heavy duty impact wrench. I just got a 500lb one and it is well worth the investment. Once the bolt is off, the rest comes off with a tap.
Many autoparts stores like O'Reily's and AutoZone rent 36mm axle nuts.
good luck!

badenkb · Guest

HI

Having just done this task - and broken three extension bars in the process, I ended up carefull grinding the nuts off and buynig new ones. Seemed easier and in the end would have been cheaper.

My 2 cents

Ian

awilson40 · Guest

I need to do mine also... I think thats one job I will leave to a brake shop.

swicks · Guest

I agree with awilson and a brake shop will also fit the new shoes and fiddly, knuckle crunching stoooooopid springs that hold the shoes in place.

Cheers

numbers · Guest

It is actually not that difficult to remove the drums and do the brakes. I use one of the sockets from my truck socket set. They are 3/4 inch drive with a 3/4 breaker bar. Put a 3 foot piece of pipe on the breaker bar for leverage, and the socket comes right off. I can't remember the exact size of the socket, I think it may be inch and an eighth. Anyway you can do a quick measurement of the nut to get the size. The socket doesn't have to be a tight fit. I recommend that you mark the nut's position on the axel stub before you remove it. You will not be able to find a torque wrench big enough to get the 400 lbs of torque nessessary when you re-install. However, you can just use your standard breaker bar to tighten the nut as tight as you can get it, and then use the pipe extension to bring the marks back in alignment and you will have enough torque. The breaks are just standard drums.