Dually drum question.

[rs74]

I had to take one of the inner duals off and take in tomorrow for a bad valve stem. Figured I would go ahead and pull the drums off to see what the brakes, hardware and wheel cylinders look like. Do I have to unbolt the axle and pull it out to get the drums off. If so is it as easy to just unbolt the outer bolts and slide the axle out or do I have to pull the rear dif cover. Am I on the right track here?

[Rubble]

Your on the right track,remove the bolts& pull the axle.You don't have to pull diff cover unless you want to see how things look inside.Once the axle is out,you need a special socket to remove the wheel bearing nuts.once they are off,the drum should slide right off.You might have to back the brakes off a bit to get the drum to slide over the shoes.I would recommend changing wheel seals too,good chance of them leaking if you don't replace them.

[rs74]

Thanks Rubble. What is the special socket? I assume I should be able to buy one from the local parts store.

[Rubble]

Ya,any auto parts store should have one.It has four little tabs on the inside of a piece of tubing approx 1.5" dia.I would take a picture,but in from shop now & too lazy to go back out eh!!

[Alex V.]

FYI, make sure you clean the axle flange and hub mating surfaces and seal them well upon re-assembly - don't want any gear lube leaks.

[Tx Firefighter]

I bought my special socket from O Reilly Auto Parts. They had it right there on the tool aisle for about 10 bucks.

Also, if you're just doing one side, only jack that side of the rearend up. That way the gear oil will run downhill and away from the hub you're removing. Keeps it from dripping out all over the place.