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Rear Brake Drum Not Fitting Over Hub

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by Jbleeds, Dec 31, 2017.

  1. Dec 31, 2017
    Jbleeds

    Jbleeds Member

    Lancaster, CA
    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2017
    Messages:
    65
    Folks,
    I just purchased a 67 Jeepster and I am replacing my brakes (10 inch) and am unable to get the brake drum to fit over the hub lip. When I tried to take the old drums off, they wouldn't budge at all. I had to use a drum puller (took about 45 minutes per side) and in the process bent the hell out of both the old drums as the old ones wouldn't move off the lip. It's not an upgraded axle to the best of my knowledge, and the drums slip over the brake shoes with no problem, they just won't go over the hub lip. I saw a post on a general site that said put the drum in the freezer overnight, but wouldn't that just cause the drum to shrink instead of expand? Should I heat the drum up to expand it enough to fit. The drums were purchased at NAPA and their parts box only shows one drum available for the 10 inch. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
     
  2. Dec 31, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,102
    Are the hubs at all rusty?
     
  3. Dec 31, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Oct 25, 2006
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    Lugs swedged onto the drum?
     
  4. Dec 31, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
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    2,871
    I just had this problem with a set of 10" brakes. There are definitely more then one style of drums. I had to use original Jeep take offs to make it work.
     
  5. Dec 31, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    Not an expert on Jeepster… but some early Jeeps had hub/drum as a unit.
     
  6. Dec 31, 2017
    Jbleeds

    Jbleeds Member

    Lancaster, CA
    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2017
    Messages:
    65
    Thanks for the advice. Hubs are not rusty, after New Years I will go to a few different auto stores and see what they have in stock. Anyone ever try heating up the drum?
    Hope all of you have a great New Years!!!
     
  7. Jan 1, 2018
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Messages:
    683
    If not rusty, bent up the drum and took that long to remove, the lug studs were likely swedged to lock the hub and drum together as mentioned. Basically once the drum is on, they used a tool that flared the stud splines out almost like a rivet. Look at the side profile of the stud splines where they come through the hub, if angled out at all...swedged. You won't get a drum back on there unless you cut the swedge part off. Also, do not try to press the studs out without removing the swedge first, it will ruin the hub.

    An actual swedge cutter is about $100. I had good luck with this in 5/8" (1/2" ID)...remove pilot bit and cut stud off short to clear the throat...

    EZARC Carbide Hole Cutter Heavy Duty for Stainless Steel, 5/8'' 16mm - - Amazon.com
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2018
  8. Jan 3, 2018
    Jbleeds

    Jbleeds Member

    Lancaster, CA
    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2017
    Messages:
    65
    I took the axle to a machine shop and that was the problem, They had a swedge cutter. Cost me $50 to get them cleaned up and now the drums fit with no problem. I can't believe that someone didn't do this years ago. Thanks for the advice, I had never heard of a swedge cutter before!
     
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