seized brakes and bearing!

[newbie770]

First of all im new to the world of airstreams. I bought a 1961 safari today that has been sitting on the jackstands with wheels removed for about the last 20 some odd years needless to say the drums are froze up solid! Are there any tricks I should know before tearing into the brake / hub assembly? Any advice, help or criticisms are welcome

[ROBERT CROSS]

Welcome Aboard!!


A new axle complete with brakes...no brainer.

Bob

[newbie770]

Obviously... ive got to get it rolling so I can get it to my shop and its gonna have to roll a couple of miles down a dirtroad before it can be put on the low boy...

[ROBERT CROSS]

If it's already on stands, could the axle be done where it is?

Bob

[ventport]

I bet the drums are stuck to the brake shoes. Put a bar in between the lug bolts and try to turn the drum. Once you get the drum loose, just remove the spindle nut to remove.

[Thisisliving]

Ya I go for the new axles and brakes. Y take a chance. For $600 you would be good for another 20 years....

[Melody Ranch]

Soak the drum area with a penetrating oil, put on the wheel and tire, hook to your vehicle and pull/push it to break the stuck hub from the shoe. Then take it home and replace what you need to.

[overlander63]

I think 1961 axles were welded in place, so bear that in mind before advising somebody to replace the axle in the field.
Now, if you are going to replace before using the trailer, beat on the drum with a hammer until it will move, remove the drum, take any parts out that are broken or hanging up, tow to the flatbed loading spot, and haul it home on the flatbed. I wouldn't bother with brakes for that short a distance on that small and light of a trailer.

[Protagonist]

I had one brake seize on a Dodge Caravan I used to own. Almost 500 miles from home. I called a tow truck, and he was able to get it unseized by: (1) removing the tire; (2) making sure there's no pressure on the brake from the actuator; and (3) tapping on the drum with a ball peen hammer around the rim until the brakes popped loose from the drum. Note the word, tapping. Not pounding. Didn't want to crack the drum, after all.

[JimGolden]

Is a '61 a rubber axle? Or are they still leaf sprung?

My grandpa had a '58 and it had leafs. I know right around there somewhere was when they changed them...

My Dodge Charger has the same problem. I'll try the WD40 and a bar across the lugs. We pulled it with a tractor on a gravel driveway and it just skidded that one frozen wheel...

[polarlyse]

If pulling to break loose be sure to include some pulling backwards. Shoe brakes are designed to tighten more so when rotating forward. This helps the emergency brake ( in auto's) operate more efficiently. Ever try to pull forward with it on vs. backing ? It will be very difficult to remove the drum without any damage if the shoes are seized to the drum so do what you gotta do to free them up.