Re: IML: Removing rear drums 55-62 model Imperials

[randalpark@xxxxxxx]

1963 and 1964 still have the tappered axle and friction fit rear drums, 
even though they have the new style brakes. 1965 was the first year he 
flanged rear axles. The correct puller for these cars doesn't 
incorporate any "jaw like" parts.

Paul W.


-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Strickland <jwstrick426@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Imperial List <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 9:52 am
Subject: IML: Removing rear drums 55-62 model Imperials



I am not sure about 63 and up Imperials.  From '63 up they were using a 
newer
Bendix rear drum brake design that incorporated the parking brake in 
the rear
service brake design (self adjusting too).

These older Imperials had rear drums that do indeed require the use of 
a really
good quality drum puller.  I tried to help a friend years ago who had a 
'61 Le
Baron remove the rear drums on his car using a J.C .Whitney puller.  
What a
mistake!  The screw of the puller damaged the end of the axle and the 
drum
retaining nut on the end of the axle.  We were using a large adjustable 
wrench
to turn the square headed bolt on the Whitney puller.  We had a 6 ft. 
extension
handle on the wrench and were jumping up and down on it and never got 
the drums
off.  In the process the jaws of the adjustable wrench broke apart.  
The wrench
had to be thrown away.  I still have the puller, but would never use it 
again on
an Imperial!

My friend later learned that another method was to not only use the 
better
quality pullers, such as a Snap-On Tool model, but to loosen the large 
nuts on
the ends of the rear axle some, then drive the car around while 
applying the
brakes and turning corners to warm up and loosen the drum(s).  Apply 
penetrating
oil to the mating surface where the drum comes off of the axle 
assembly.  Rust
build-up only makes matters worse.  It would be interesting if some of 
us could
measure the ft. lbs. of torque required to successfully remove the rear 
drums on
these cars.  We could then compare measurements and see what the 
required
average force is.

One possible safety precaution would be to put sandbags around the 
drum, axle
end and puller to catch any flying pieces if something should fail. Use 
a known
good quality hardened 6-point socket and 3/4 inch rachet on the puller 
bolt
head.  When parts and tools are under stress they can fail suddenly.  
That was
why I took my '62 to a Chrysler dealer to have the rear brakes worked 
on.  It
turned out to be a bad experience, since the job was not done 
correctly.  Please
work as safely as you possibly can.

Joe S.

Joseph W. Strickland
1021 Vaughan Lane
Tioga, TX 76271-2937
(903) 433 1727 home
(214) 334 9023 cell

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