Is there a secret to removing brake drums from an early 9 inch. I tried prying and hammering them off. They seem to be stuck at the hub.

 

Have you backed off the brakes before you tired to pull the drums off?

 

You may have to back them all the way out if the drums are worn severely. They can have some pretty deep grooves that seem to hold them on forever. You might also have corrosion around the axle centering thingy. I have had to use the biggest 3 jaw puller I could find to get mine off before.

 

The face of the drum is rust-welded to the axle.
Spray some penetrating oil (not WD-40, by the way) arond the center, and around each stud.
Rap the face between the studs fairly hard with the ball head of a ball peen hammer. Don't strike the cast iron circular rim too hard, you may shatter it.
Let it sit over night if necessary, with more penetrant.
Use a propane torch next. DON'T use an oxy-acetylene torch, as it is too hot (unless you really moderate the temperature).
Play the flame around the face of the drum, especially where the center part of the axle meets the hole in the drum, and around the studs. Every now and then, rap teh face of the drum again with the hammer. Don't overheat the drum, as you will warp it.
The purpose of the light heat is to make the drum face expand, but leave the axle cool - so the metal pieces pull away from each other.

Good luck!

 

Use spray lube and wire wheel the front of the hub. If that doesn't work use a little heat to loosen the rust.

 

Never had to use heat. Just a lot of penetrating oil, and hammers. I even use a dead blow so I don't ding the outer ring. Ball peen for around the lugs and axle. Just have to be patient. It took me 2-3 hrs to get the one off my 68. Was rust locked on the center ring. If you can fine some Krol, I think that the way is spelled. It was the best I have found on penetrating rust.

 

Same for the front and back? My backs come off easily, fronts wont budge.

 

U might have to back them out. If they are like mine u can pop a grommet off the back and reach in there with a screwdriver and turn the star gear to back them off. U might have to use some pb blaster and still rap on it a bit

 

The front hub and drum separate - at least for '65 and later. I have heard that some earlier ones are one-piece, but I do not think that is the case with the Slicks.
I had to remove the hub and drum together to get them part.
I drove out the studs, and the drum finally popped off. It was rusted to the hub.