What's the easiest way to get the hubs out of buick drums.

[TERPU]

I just got some Buick finned drums and I need to remove the hubs. What is the best way to do this.


Thanks, Tim

[36-3window]

drill out the three rivets..start by center punching the heads of the rivets , drill all the way through with an 1/8" drill bit , then drill out with a 5/16" bit at least through the part of them that's in the aluminum drum....drive the rest out with a punch.. the hub may or may not just come out...i've had to use a little PB blaster and maybe some heat on the drum to break loose the corroaion.... just don't beat the crap out of it to get the hub out , you may bend the face of the drum


you also have to take the wheel studs out too....press them out , and make sure you back it up so you don't bend the drum

[rustynewyorker]

They tell me prayer helps too, it's easy to crack or break a drum so if you can find some junkers or crappy ones, do those first to get a feel for it. So someone claimed when I sold a pair on eBay I got out of the pull-your-part for $10 each. Did good money on them, wish I had half a dozen more sets.

[Fraz]

Air chisel the heads off the rivits, use punch to punch rivits out of hub/drum combo, give hub good smack with hammer, pops right out every time.

Done this technique to 4 pairs of drums and all are fine.

[TERPU]

A big thank you to all. If I fail look for a classified post for a new drum!

Thanks again,
TIM

[Blownolds]

EASIER YET!!!!!

Get a grinding disc with beveled flaps. Get something like 60 or 80 grit, and also get the proper arbor, and use a hand held grinder. This works wonders to remove rivet heads quickly. Work slower when you get near the aluminum. Any grind marks on the aluminum when you get flush can be polished out later, or smoothed out and then glass beaded for a satin look.

Once you get flush, then use the hammer and punch to drive them through. Or drill. But thew beveled flap type grinding wheel in a hand held grinder works GREAT on rivet heads.

[C9]

[ QUOTE ]
just don't beat the crap out of it to get the hub out , you may bend the face of the drum


[/ QUOTE ]

Good point.

I've found that backing up the flat surface with a sturdy hollow tube works well. Most times removing the offending rivet or bolt without hurting the flat surface/drum.

A short piece of 1 1/2" x .120 wall tubing works for me.

Be sure to shim the drum level before the beating starts.
An extra pair of hands works well for this.