How to Article

There several methods for removing Studebaker rear brake drums. The following method is probably the best way to do it.

Studebaker, like many car companies, in the 50's and 60's swedged their brake drums to the axle hubs, meaning they both have to come off to repair/replace worn out shoe, wheel cylinders, etc. Sometimes they pop right off; sometimes they are really stuck on the axle. 

There is a tool that works well to get the ones that are really stuck to come off. Studebaker vendor Matt Burnett writes: 

"You need a hub puller like the one in the photo.
Once you remove the castle nut and washer, install the castle nut just far enough so that it’s flush with the end of the axle shaft. Tighten the puller with an impact gun until you think you’ll break it, then smack the end of the puller with a small sledge hammer, then go at it again with the impact gun. Repeat as necessary until the drum pops loose."

In the photo, the "strike wrench" is on the hex. It comes on and off. The hex end of the puller is made to be hit with a two or three pound sledge. If an impact wrench is not available, the strike wrench (looks like a dog bone in the photo) can be struck with the sledge to tighten the puller. Alternate between striking the hex and striking the dog bone. The real stubborn ones can come flying off at you, that's why you put the axle nut on flush with the end of the axle.

The is only one CORRECT way to reinstall the drum. 

1) Clean the axle and the hub. Install the drum/hub dry. DO NOT lubricate, put anti-seize or anything else on the assembly.

2) Make sure the axle key fits nicely in the hub groove and the axle groove. File slightly if needed, or get a new key.

3) Place drum/hub on the axle, lining of the grooves. VERY IMPORTANT: install axle key with taper INBOARD and DOWN to the axle groove. Leave about a 1/4 inch of the key showing, let the axle nut and washer push the key to the correct depth. Some keys have been tapped in with a punch. This is wrong and could lead to a cracked hub.

Tighten the axle castlenut to 170 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Install the cotter pin.

That's it...Hopefully this will make doing the rear brakes on a Studebaker a much easier job.