Need help on Jeep repair!

Von · Dec 13, 2001

OK guys I need some help. My Zamboni runs Jeep axles and I can't get the rear brake drum off on one side. It was made in 67' and has a DANA 44 rear end, and I don't think it was ever taken apart before this. The axle shaft is tapered on the end with a key way. The brake drum just slides on and is held with a nut. I can't get the drum to slide off of the axle and have tried heat and I am using a hub slide hammer with no results. Any ideas or does anyone know what holds the axle shaft into the pumpkin? and can I slide the shaft out with the brake drum still on if I figure out what is holding the shaft in place. Someone out there on TBN must have taken a few of these apart before, its the same as a Jeep CJ-5, at least thats what the owners manual states! Thanks for your help.

Wheeldog · Dec 13, 2001

Von,

Any chance there is a tapped hole or two through the face of the drum? The drums on my Toyota pickup have these - I've been able to get the drums unstuck using a mallet, but the holes are there to thread a bolt into and force the drum off.

Other than that, the only thing I can think of is a good sharp strike with a hammer to break things free.

Rob

Anonymous Poster · Dec 14, 2001

Might seem like a dumb question, but have you backed the brake shoes all the way off?
Those are a lot like old 50s dodges, and we pulled them with what looked like a wheel puller that pushed against the axel shaft as it pulled on the hub via the wheel bolts.

RobS · Dec 14, 2001

Von, I'm not familiar with that axle but most semi-floating axles have a c-clip in the pumpkin that holds the axle shafts in. Pull the cover and rotate the third member. You will likely see a lock bolt that holds the spider gear shaft in place. Remove that and the spider gear shaft. That shaft also keeps the axle shafts from pushing inward (spider gear shaft runs perpendicular to the axle shafts). Once the gear shaft is out, push the axle inward which should allow the C-clip to fall out from within the bevel gear at the end. With the C-clip off the whole axle will slide out. This of course assumes that axle has these clips and that the axle will push inward with the brake drum attached.

Those are pretty popular axles among the Jeepers. You might try a Jeep related forum somewhere out there in the WWW /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

HalseyGreen · Dec 14, 2001

I have a 68 CJ5, but it was converted to full floating, but I had a 76 Cherokee with Dana 44, the rear axles had the drum flange welded on, but there was also a bearing/seal retainer behind the flange that was accessible through a hole in the flange once the brake drum was removed. This had to be unbolted from the axle tube before removing the axle. The 68 also has this flange to retain the grease seal. Best bet is to remove the nut on the end of the axle and remove the brake drum. using heat and a pentrating oil. Backing off the brake shoes is a good idea, had to do that on the Cherokee. Hope this helps.

Bird · Dec 14, 2001

Von, have you tried going to http://www.google.com and enter "Dana 44 axle" (without the quotation marks)? You get thousands of hits, but the first one at the top or this link sure seems to have a lot of information about that axle. Don't know whether it'll help or not.

RobS · Dec 14, 2001

Cool site Bird! Von, ignore my C-clip instructions. From this site it is apparent the Dana 44 does not have them /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Youare · Dec 14, 2001

I've had three Jeep's, one 1947 CJ2A, still have a 1963 J300 pick-up, and sold my 1982 J20. The rear brake drums on the J300 pick-up are held to the tappered axle by a large nut on the end of the axle. To remove them I have to use a heavy duty puller that bolts to the wheel studs and pushes on the center of the axle. After things are tigthened up I have to give the puller screw a couple of healthy wacks with a sledge hammer. It sounds like yours are held on in a similar fashion.

Good luck
Randy

Von · Dec 14, 2001

Everyone thanks for your help! I was able to get it off this morning, I guess sitting over night with WD-40 helped.
Randy: Your 63' is just like mine. I cranked the hub puller down with a impact wrench (will need 3 new lug nuts) and gave the 10lb. slide a good pull and it popped right off. Two new wheel cyl. and a new master cyl. and it will have brakes again after 15 yrs. I am only putting brakes on the back, as top speed is 9 MPH. Once again thanks for the help guys!