Good news, then bad news!!!

[93dangerranger]

So we were working on putting all new brakes and ujoints in my Bronco. The front joints were original I do believe. The front drivers side drum would not come off when we got started, we had to bust it off. But after getting everything back together, we have discovered that at least I have a limited slip in the front and rear. Or is it a locker? This is the first 4 wheel drive we have ever messed with and we are learning a lot as we go, but I am excited to know that all the wheels will be pulling if needed. Now the bad news, after putting the new drums back on, we discovered the reason the drum wouldn't come off. The shoulders on the studs were messed up and causing it to hold the drum on. So the Bronco is still in the garage for at least the next couple of days. I sure will be glad to have my daily drivers back in there. Anyway, it was worth the bad studs to determine that I have a better front end than I thought. It is just a 30, but it is better than I expected.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Studs are correct. The drum and hub come off as an assembly. You are not supposed to be able to remove the drum independently.

 

[Revelation]

^X2. To remove the front drums you must pull the whole assembly.

Here are a set of instructions. http://www2.dana.com/pdf/5310-3.pdf

 

[93dangerranger]

Like I said, we are learning as we go. So just to make sure I am correct, you have to pull all the hub assembly apart to do a simple brake job on the front? And is there any reason why the passenger side drum just came right off when we started this project? Also, what is the best way to get the studs pulled all the way through the drum where you have plenty of threads for your lug nuts?

 

[bronconut73]

Yea, sometimes they do come right off the hubs but if you look at replacements you'll see they are sold as a unit.
Having said that I separated mine to put front rotors on my drum hubs.
I have used a combination of air chisel with the hammer/dowel fitting and a good impact on the lug nut with a greased washer behind it. The greased washer should help the stud not spin under the torque of the impact gun. Ofcourse remove the washer and absolutely any remnant of grease as you would not want grease on your studs or rotor. Brake cleaner works nice.
This is sort of the grease monkey way of doing it, by the way.
But I have a big ass press and I still do it this way just because of how fast it is.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Hubs must come off to do the front brake shoes.

 

[93dangerranger]

Thanks guys. Just blows my mind how it has to be so difficult when it should be so easy.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Once you learn it, it is easy.

Speaking of learning, don't try to pull the drum/wheel on by tightening the lugnuts. You will overstress the stud before they seat correctly. You need to remove the hub and drive the studs in from the back side. If you don't have a press like many of us, a hammer and a drift will work. When they seat you can tell by the feel and the sound.