1998 Camry rear hubs rusted on.

[dcbc991]

Hi all,

I'm trying to remove the rear brake drums / hubs on my '98 Camry as part of a full brake job. I first bought the car when it had 40k miles but other than an occasional clean and adjustment, I have not touched them in a few years.

The car now has over 150k miles.

As outlined elsewhere on TN, I've backed off the brake shoes completely using the two-screwdriver method via the access hole on the front of the hub. I also tried the bolt method on the face of the drums (screw down 2 8mm bolts to force the hub off), but all I managed to do is pull the threads out of the holes and stripping them out. I've used penetrating oil where I could around the studs and beat it with a sledge hammer to no avail.

The backing plate doesn't allow anyway to get a wheel / hub puller tool to force it off that I can see.

Has anyone tried applying heat successfully (as in a torch)? Other than welding on ears on each side of the hub for a wheel puller, not sure what else to try?

BTW - Best car I've ever owned!

Hank, Northern Illinois

[Hajoca]

I have tried to drive the car a short distance (like a foot) on the driveway with the lug nuts loosened, and then hit the brakes.

Brake can be struck with hammer many times to try and break it free.

[BMR]

I've used lots of PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench followed by some serious sledge hammer blows. That was on a Chevy.

[carsrus]

Look at the drum where it sits on the hub. You will see two holes with threads. Tighten 2 bolts into these holes untill the drum pops off.

Works like a dream. The shoes are not holding the drum.

[Billiam]

Please...don't get pissed...but someone's gotta ask. Is the e-brake off?

[roach4047]

BFH....

nuff said.


Roach

[ghettosled]

what hajoca said. loosen lugs with the wheels on, put the car in reverse, back up slowly and press the brakes. when i do this, i can usually hear the drums break loose. i do this anytime i need to remove drums on a car.

[dcbc991]

Originally Posted by carsrus

Look at the drum where it sits on the hub. You will see two holes with threads. Tighten 2 bolts into these holes untill the drum pops off.

Works like a dream. The shoes are not holding the drum.

As I mentioned, I already tried this, but pulled out the threads.

[dcbc991]

Originally Posted by roach4047

BFH....

nuff said.


Roach

Sorry, that's a little too concise as I don't know what the hell 'BFH' is. But thanks for taking the time to post. lol

[dcbc991]

Originally Posted by Billiam

Please...don't get pissed...but someone's gotta ask. Is the e-brake off?

Absolutely! Plus I backed off the shoes entirely.

[dcbc991]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

what hajoca said. loosen lugs with the wheels on, put the car in reverse, back up slowly and press the brakes. when i do this, i can usually hear the drums break loose. i do this anytime i need to remove drums on a car.

Thanks guys. I've never tried this before but I'll give it a shot.

[roach4047]

Originally Posted by dcbc991

Sorry, that's a little too concise as I don't know what the hell 'BFH' is. But thanks for taking the time to post. lol

BFH= Big #$@^%*% Hammer.

And the wheel roll with out the lug nuts tightened will help. Loosen the lugs pretty significantly but don't take them off entirely (safety reasons) and then simply drive car a matter of a couple feet in reverse and then back forward again to help loosen things a bit.


If that doesn't work then take it off road with out any lugs and run it till the wheel falls off...j/k of course.

Good luck.


Roach