Trying to replace a wheel cylinder. I cant seem to get the drum off. I can see a thin welded strip between the drum and the hub. Am I crazy? I have taken a wire brush to the area between the hub and drum where a seem should be. The hub and drum look as one with a weld. Year 2000 xj.

 

Pics, or it didn't happen
Drums can seem welded on from rust.
Did you back the brakes all the way off?
PB Blaster or such on joint and a BMFH!!

Never force it, get a bigger hammer!

 

The drum just slides onto the axle hub.
I have seen them pretty rusted together.


Unless some trunk-monkey actually did weld it to the hub at some point, before you owned it?
If that's the case, you'll need to bust out the grinder.

 

Ive never seen one welded either. The other side looks normal.
The adjuster is floppy and not where it should be on this problem side. So it shouldnt be pushing out on the shoes.

 

Take a BFH and hit the drum. I would start by hitting it ONTO the hub and see if it comes loose.

 

I dont think its welded anymore. Its just rusted to the hub i guess. I can beat all i want on the drum and it doesnt budge. If i take two screw drivers and pry at the same time i can see the drum flex out on the outside. That middle portion around the hub is holding the drum up. I can pry the edges of the drum enough to make a gap around the studs. That damn rusted hub is screwing this process up.

 

Just keep hitting it. Careful of the lug bolts tho.

I slather mine in anti-seize when I re-assemble. Helps for next time.

 

Heat is your friend.

 

I just removed one, and used the torch to heat the drum around the axle hub, and worked it loose with two big screw drivers.

In this case, even the wheel didn't want to come off ! A sledge hammer on the back-side of the tire finally jarred it loose.

It wasn't a Jeep though, a Ford Crown Vic....same situation though..

And I did use anti-seize when going back together.