How can I separate the wheel hubs from the drums?

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Schyrjajew

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Hello guys and greetings from Switzerland!
As the title says, I would like to know how to separate the wheel hubs from the front drums.
1968 Valiant 9" Drum Brakes.
The drums tend towards the end and I bought two new ones on rockauto (without bolts or hubs).
Is there a trick or is it best to buy new hubs? (If so, where?) :)
 
Heat the drum around the hub it should then be able to be pressed through.
 
If I am understanding you and Halifaxhops correctly-
removing the lug studs by driving them out ( or pressing them out on a press or hammer)
The hub should separate easier that way.
Don't be afraid to send a marked up picture so we are on the same page if you can.
I forget parts availability or application is not the same in all places.
Also wear safety glasses if heating or pressing.
Okay that was a "Dad moment."
LOL!
Joe
 
Just had this I did not have to take the studs out just heated (red hot) the drum area around the center of the hub till it loosened then it pressed right out (9" 66 Cuda hubs)
 
The proper way to remove the drum that is pressed onto the studs is to use a "swedge" tool. It's like a hollow drill bit that goes around the stud and cuts away the material holding the drum to the stud. Good luck finding the tool. I was lucky enough to find one at an old Chrysler dealership back in the late 80's that let me borrow theirs. Heating, beating and pressing will only cause damage to the drum or hub.
 
You need one of these or you will f up you hubs Brake Drum Swedge Cutting Tool original drums were sold as an assembly. If you don't cut the factory swedging you will open up the stud holes in the hub when you press out the studs. I have also heard you can use a 5/8 hole saw minus the pilot drill to do the same thing. You may also have to grind away the swaging to get the new drum to seat correctly.

Brian
 
As the title says, I would like to know how to separate the wheel hubs from the front drums.
1968 Valiant 9" Drum Brakes.

I had the same issue with my '67 Barracuda. The factory swaged the lug studs just outside of the drums, which holds the drum to the hub. I was told they did this to aid in assembly as the could install the drums and hubs in one assembly. On mine, I was able to lay the drum on my work bench and drive the hub out of the drum. Heat might help with this, but it likely isn't an issue with the hub being in the center hole of the drum, rather it is tight where the studs come through the drum.

I've heard of a couple of ways to deal with this so you don't have to mess with it in the future. One suggestion is to grind or file the swaged areas on the studs. Another way that someone suggested is to get a hole saw with an inside diameter that matches the outside diameter of the studs (7/16" I believe) and use the hole saw to cut the swages on the studs off. Another method is to drill out the stud holes in the drum slightly so they will clear the swages on the studs.

In my experience,... those hubs are hard to find, so you will want to find a way to save them!
 
Swedge Cutting Tool | Model A Suspension and Wheels

ST-437-500-562.jpg
 
Never knew that at all always pressed them out. and yes the old drum usually was toast afterwards. Thanks!
 
Just get a die grinder bit and knock down the swedge part of the stud and you can pull/press the hub off the drum... the hubs are staked/swedge to the drums from the factory... Grind down the flared part of the swedge and you can get the drums off of the hub....
 
Another alternative might be to grind the heads off the studs and drive the studs out from the inside with a pneumatic hammer. Studs are cheap; just make sure you have the right ones in your grubby hands before you sacrifice the old ones.
 
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