Pry out the dust cap in the center of the hub. Remove cotter pin, keeper, hub nut and washer. Pull drum off. The outer wheel bearing will come out with it. You probably won't need to back off the brake shoes, but if you do, turn the star adjuster from the slot in the backing plate. This is also a good time to perform maintenance on the wheel bearings, which should be done every year or two.
Clean and inspect outer wheel bearing and repack it with wheel bearing grease. Inspect the bearing rollers and inner and outer bearing shell inside the hub and the spindle for scoring or pitting. Replace any worn parts. To remove the inner wheel bearing, pry out the seal on the inside of the hub and replace with a new one. If you need to replace a bearing, take the drum to someone with a hydraulic press to remove and install the shell. Or use a stout punch and hammer to drive it out and hammer in a new one.
To reinstall, turn hub nut finger tight. While turning the drum, tighten to only about 8 or 10 ft-lbs.--Just enough to take out any slack and runout but where the drum still turns freely without any binding. Replace the keeper and install a new cotter pin. Replace the dust cap. Reinstall the wheel and check again for absence of play and free turning.
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Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 AT 11:26 PM
