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Les Fairbanks and the Fairbanks Brake Drum Puller Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | A respected member of this site recommended acquiring and using the Fairbanks Brake Drum Puller produced by Les Fairbanks to remove the rear brake drums on FL vehicles. I contacted Mr Fairbanks and expressed my desire to purchase one of his pullers. I received a reply that same day, explaining that he could have it in the mail the next business day. I had a delay of about a week in getting back with him but he again replied immediately about my purchase. I utilized payment through PayPal and - again - Mr Fairbanks responded that he received payment and had shipped the puller. Here is a man who understands customer service and provides the best possible in every aspect of an interaction. I'm all about taking advantage of great opportunities to enhance my business but Mr Fairbanks has me beat on that, too. My puller arrived VERY well packed one of the smaller "If it fits , it ships" boxes. The weight of the package indicated that USPS lost money on that deal. What I found inside is amazingly well built. Each of the studs is etched with either "R" or "L" to indicate which side its to to be used on. The plate portion is very well produced with not one burr or grinder mark anywhere to be seen. From a tool guy's perspective, its an amazing piece of gear! I'll be using the puller this weekend. I am sure it will perform flawlessly and, more importantly, safer than the factory recommended puller. Stay tuned for further follow ups on what appears to be the best quality tool I have purchased in a long time. Mr Fairbanks - thanks you very much. It has been a true pleasure ordering from you! | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | Fairbanks Brake Drum Puller - This has got to be the slickest thing since sliced bread, canned beer and tuna on rye! Finally a well made tool that tool a tedious job and made it effortless. Mr Fairbanks - Sir, you are a genius, a scholar and a gentleman! Thank you very much for the great tool and excellent service! | ||
GregCon |
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Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Still awaiting your third post.... | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | GregCon - 2020-03-04 7:32 AM Still awaiting your third post.... Why does there always appear to be a smart ass in every crowd? Are you the gatekeeper on posts for the site? | ||
GregCon |
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Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Here's the deal....you gush all over this tool but fail to provide much useful other than you have a blooming love affair. How about a photo or information on how or where to buy it or how much it cost? Pros and cons? Maybe it's a good tool, maybe you think it's awesome because you've never used anything better. Your post sounds more like a paid advertisement than an objective review. It's so spam-like the average person doesn't know whether it is legit or something else. | ||
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6503 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | Googled it... http://www.chrysler300club.com/rcmstuff/fairbanks/puller.html Instructions for Mopar rear drum puller. Caution: These drums can come off the axles with enough force to cause injury. Don't stand directly in front of drum when removing. Secure the car safely on jack stands. Remove the wheels and axle nuts. Loosen brake shoe adjustments. For cars that use lug bolts: On the right (passenger's) side: Put the 5 RH threaded bolts through the holes in the plate and screw them into the lug bolt holes until the plate is against the axle shaft. Tighten the bolts evenly until the drum comes off. On the left (driver's) side: Put the 5 LH threaded studs about 3/4 of an inch into the drum. Put the plate over the studs against the axle shaft. Install washers and the 5 LH threaded nuts on each stud and tighten evenly until the drum comes off. For cars that use lug nuts: On the right (passenger's) side: Screw the 5 RH threaded elongated nuts with stud attached all the way onto the studs on the drum. Put the plate over the studs with the small plate in the center against the axle shaft. Install washers and the 5 RH threaded nuts and tighten evenly until the drum comes off. On the left (driver's) side, procedure is the same as right side using LH threaded nuts. If you have any questions, comments, or the tool doesn't remove the drums on your car, call me at (269) 926-7005 days or (269) 463-5260 evenings, or email me at lessue52@comcast.net . Mailing address is Les Fairbanks C/O T&L Mold Company., 1246 East Empire Ave., Benton Harbor, MI., 49022. Your money will be promptly refunded if this tool fails to remove the drums from your car. Les Fairbanks (hub3.JPG) Attachments ---------------- hub3.JPG (42KB - 492 downloads) | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | GregCon - 2020-03-04 12:05 PM Here's the deal....you gush all over this tool but fail to provide much useful other than you have a blooming love affair. How about a photo or information on how or where to buy it or how much it cost? Pros and cons? Maybe it's a good tool, maybe you think it's awesome because you've never used anything better. Your post sounds more like a paid advertisement than an objective review. It's so spam-like the average person doesn't know whether it is legit or something else. Did you notice that this post is in the vendor section of the forums? I guess you're just too cool to publicly thank someone who was good to you and provided you with something useful. You know, Greg. You're the kind of person who seems to thrive because of keyboard bravado. In the real world someone would put you in your place but you have a set of 20 pounders (or believe you do) as long as you're online. Amazing! Do you wait until someone reviews everything before you use/buy it? Must be a long time in your house between meals. | ||
57chizler |
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Expert Posts: 3780 Location: NorCal | What's the current price of the puller? | ||
NicksGarage |
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Expert Posts: 1223 Location: Ramona, CA | 57chizler - 2020-03-09 12:49 PM What's the current price of the puller? I just got one a few days ago and it was $108.50 shipped. He uses a flat rate box so the shipping is $8.50 in the US. | ||
57desoto |
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Expert Posts: 1488 Location: New Castle PA | FWIW, I know Les. I don't own one of his drum pullers, as I bought a more conventional one many years ago before learning of the Fairbanks type. Les is a good man, very helpful and friendly, and I have recommended his puller many times, with EVERY purchaser very satisfied with it. | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I also know Les personally from the National DeSoto Club and we also have one of his pullers. It's a very good design and makes removing drums quick, easy work! | ||
51coronet |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 360 | Looks like a good tool. I have used and bought one of the more universal types from OTC. It works but is capable of bending lugs because I used 3 of the legs. Still a good tool because it can be used on other vehicles. This one is nice for the FL cars and probably not as universal. Will it work on imperial bolt pattern or just 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern? | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | 51coronet - 2020-06-01 11:31 AM Looks like a good tool. I have used and bought one of the more universal types from OTC. It works but is capable of bending lugs because I used 3 of the legs. Still a good tool because it can be used on other vehicles. This one is nice for the FL cars and probably not as universal. Will it work on imperial bolt pattern or just 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern? I believe its set up for the 5 x 4.5 only but I am very sure that He could produce one for you in the pattern you need. His design is sound and very safe. I highly recommend it. | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | NC Adventurer - 2020-06-01 12:40 PM I believe its set up for the 5 x 4.5 only but I am very sure that He could produce one for you in the pattern you need. Based on the photo from the 300 club site, it might be possible with the existing plate. Certainly with a slightly larger plate. (LesFsRearDrumPullerAnnotatedToShowPotentialLargerBoltCircle.jpg) Attachments ---------------- LesFsRearDrumPullerAnnotatedToShowPotentialLargerBoltCircle.jpg (162KB - 434 downloads) | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | 56D500boy - 2020-06-01 3:53 PM NC Adventurer - 2020-06-01 12:40 PM I believe its set up for the 5 x 4.5 only but I am very sure that He could produce one for you in the pattern you need. Based on the photo from the 300 club site, it might be possible with the existing plate. Certainly with a slightly larger plate. You know you bring up an excellent point. Why couldn't the larger bolt pattern be drilled between those of the smaller bolt pattern, retaining the strength if the steel and making the tool multi-application. Excellent catch in noticing the ability to redrill the original plate. | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | NC Adventurer - 2020-06-04 3:09 PM Why couldn't the larger bolt pattern be drilled between those of the smaller bolt pattern, retaining the strength if the steel and making the tool multi-application. Excellent catch in noticing the ability to redrill the original plate. Les's plate might have to be just a tad bigger to accommodate both a 4.5" bolt circle and a 5.5" bolt circle. With the existing plate size the holes on the 5.5" bolt circle might get a bit close to the edge of the plate = weak, bending point. See below: (LesFsDrumPullerWithExample5poin5inchBoltCircleHoles.jpg) Attachments ---------------- LesFsDrumPullerWithExample5poin5inchBoltCircleHoles.jpg (168KB - 419 downloads) | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | 56D500boy - 2020-06-04 8:52 PM NC Adventurer - 2020-06-04 3:09 PM Why couldn't the larger bolt pattern be drilled between those of the smaller bolt pattern, retaining the strength if the steel and making the tool multi-application. Excellent catch in noticing the ability to redrill the original plate. Les's plate might have to be just a tad bigger to accommodate both a 4.5" bolt circle and a 5.5" bolt circle. With the existing plate size the holes on the 5.5" bolt circle might get a bit close to the edge of the plate = weak, bending point. See below: I believe you may be right about needing a slightly larger plate to accommodate both sizes of lug patterns. I do see the value in having a tool made in such a manner for anyone who is really into the FL scene and likely to utilize one on multiple cars. As we have several different FLs in our car club, I've been kicking around the idea of contacting Mr Fairbanks and asking him to make one with both patterns to make it available for club member use. | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | NC Adventurer - 2020-06-07 3:07 PM I believe you may be right about needing a slightly larger plate to accommodate both sizes of lug patterns. I do see the value in having a tool made in such a manner for anyone who is really into the FL scene and likely to utilize one on multiple cars. As we have several different FLs in our car club, I've been kicking around the idea of contacting Mr Fairbanks and asking him to make one with both patterns to make it available for club member use. Are the Imperial lug nuts different (larger) size that the rest of the clan's? If they are, then even if the plate could be enlarged and drilled for both 4.5" and 5.5" bolt circles, Les would have to supply two sets of nuts, etc. Probably not cost effective. I know I only want the 4.5" bolt circle stuff (and I would have ordered back in March but with the border closed to unimportant travel, shipping from Les to Canada might be prohibitive.) | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | 56D500boy - 2020-06-07 9:11 PM NC Adventurer - 2020-06-07 3:07 PM I believe you may be right about needing a slightly larger plate to accommodate both sizes of lug patterns. I do see the value in having a tool made in such a manner for anyone who is really into the FL scene and likely to utilize one on multiple cars. As we have several different FLs in our car club, I've been kicking around the idea of contacting Mr Fairbanks and asking him to make one with both patterns to make it available for club member use. Are the Imperial lug nuts different (larger) size that the rest of the clan's? If they are, then even if the plate could be enlarged and drilled for both 4.5" and 5.5" bolt circles, Les would have to supply two sets of nuts, etc. Probably not cost effective. I know I only want the 4.5" bolt circle stuff (and I would have ordered back in March but with the border closed to unimportant travel, shipping from Les to Canada might be prohibitive.) :) Sorry to hear that COVID affected the movement of goods to Canada in that manner. Now that things are opening up, you'll be more than pleased with the product you receive when you receive yours. As for the diameter of the lugs themselves on vehicles with the 5.5" pattern, I'm not sure. My guess would be no simply based on the need to stock two size lugs but I may be entirely wrong. Maybe one of the more learned among us can enlighten us on that point. | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | NC Adventurer - 2020-06-08 12:45 PM 56D500boy - 2020-06-07 9:11 PM NC Adventurer - 2020-06-07 3:07 PM I believe you may be right about needing a slightly larger plate to accommodate both sizes of lug patterns. I do see the value in having a tool made in such a manner for anyone who is really into the FL scene and likely to utilize one on multiple cars. As we have several different FLs in our car club, I've been kicking around the idea of contacting Mr Fairbanks and asking him to make one with both patterns to make it available for club member use. Are the Imperial lug nuts different (larger) size that the rest of the clan's? If they are, then even if the plate could be enlarged and drilled for both 4.5" and 5.5" bolt circles, Les would have to supply two sets of nuts, etc. Probably not cost effective. I know I only want the 4.5" bolt circle stuff (and I would have ordered back in March but with the border closed to unimportant travel, shipping from Les to Canada might be prohibitive.) :) Sorry to hear that COVID affected the movement of goods to Canada in that manner. Now that things are opening up, you'll be more than pleased with the product you receive when you receive yours. As for the diameter of the lugs themselves on vehicles with the 5.5" pattern, I'm not sure. My guess would be no simply based on the need to stock two size lugs but I may be entirely wrong. Maybe one of the more learned among us can enlighten us on that point. The 550 studs are 9/16” not 1/2” in diameter and the nut cone taper is the same. The Fairbanks puller is pretty much the same design as the ones we all homemade and used for years and pulled countless drums!! Works just fine! I used mine until I found a Snap On puller in the trunk of a junkyard car I dragged home. It works too!! Greg | ||
Apollo 61 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 769 | Does this puller work on fronts also? Or just rears | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | LD3 Greg - 2020-06-09 12:03 AM The 550 studs are 9/16” not 1/2” in diameter and the nut cone taper is the same. The Fairbanks puller is pretty much the same design as the ones we all homemade and used for years and pulled countless drums!! Works just fine! I used mine until I found a Snap On puller in the trunk of a junkyard car I dragged home. It works too!! Greg Thanks, Greg. Its always good to learn something new. Take care! | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Apollo 61 - 2020-06-09 11:11 AM Does this puller work on fronts also? Or just rears If you need a puller to remove the front drum(s), you have some big time problems. You might have to back off the brake adjustment but nothing more because the front drum/hub contains the inner and outer bearings. The rear drums are keyed to the tapered axle and the axle runs in a rear bearing in the differential housing. Very different than the front. Edited by 56D500boy 2020-06-09 3:31 PM | ||
Apollo 61 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 769 | 56D500boy - 2020-06-09 3:18 PM Apollo 61 - 2020-06-09 11:11 AM Does this puller work on fronts also? Or just rears If you need a puller to remove the front drum(s), you have some big time problems. You might have to back off the brake adjustment but nothing more because the front drum/hub contains the inner and outer bearings. The rear drums are keyed to the tapered axle and the axle runs in a rear bearing in the differential housing. Very different than the front. :) I pick many vintage cars that have been sitting for decades in creeks and fields. Sometimes the shoes have bonded themselves to the drums. I usally remove the castle nut and they pop. Somtimes they don't. | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Apollo 61 - 2020-06-09 11:21 PM I pick many vintage cars that have been sitting for decades in creeks and fields. Sometimes the shoes have bonded themselves to the drums. I usually remove the castle nut and they pop. Sometimes they don't. Okay. Understood. In that case, I think that Les's puller would work (assuming that the bolt lengths are sufficient for the longer spindle (??). You could ask Les to confirm. | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | the heavy duty one on amazon worked well for me. I was like holy chit... it was gonna snap but I waited overnight put some heat on it again the next day and it came off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Pj56zPD5Q | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . I finally figured out a way to get one of Les's pullers to me here in Canada. During the conversation (emails) with Les, I suggested: "Les: I had forgotten about this: Back in June there was some discussion on the Forward Look forum about your drum puller (and was whining about not being able to get one up here in Canada ). In this discussion, I played with the suggestion that your plate could potentially also accommodate the 5.5" Imperial Bolt Circle. I took a photo of your puller kit (possibly from you) and annotated it to this effect, with an additional 5.5" bolt circle and holes." This is the link to the discussion thread: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=73390&... " This AM Les replied: "Dave, I do make the puller for Imperial and I have made a couple for people that need both bolt patterns. Just like you have it drawn. I use a 7”x 7” plate for those and only make one up when someone orders one because the demand is low. Imperial also has 9/16-18 threaded bolts and everything else is 1/2”-20. I use a 6”x 5 3/8” plate so I can “squeeze” the kit into a small flat rate box for cars with the 4 1/2” bolt pattern. Saves several dollars on shipping. Les" So he does do one with bolt patterns and as I thought, it has to be a bigger plate so as not to compromise the strength of the assembly during drum removal. I hope to be trying out Les's puller on my 56 Dodge (with 12" Chrysler brakes) on the stuck right rear drum next week. Edited by 56D500boy 2020-10-22 3:22 PM | ||
Les |
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New User Posts: 4 | I just became aware of this discussion about my drum puller and although it was some time ago i wanted to weigh in. I am flattered with all of the comments about the puller and how well it works. Thanks to everyone for the kind words. A lot of the discussion was about Imperial's and does this puller work on them. This puller doesn't but I had been making them for Imperial and DeSoto and Chrysler station wagons that used the heavy duty Imperial rear end. As some have said the puller is not very versatile. It is designed for Chrysler products with the 5x 4.5" bolt pattern which is probably all of them except Imperial. I also made a couple with both bolt patterns for 5x5.5" Imperials and 5x4.5" everything else. Imperials used 9/16"-18 thread bolts and the left hand thread stock was hard to find. However, I have sold my tool & die shop and am retired now. I don't have any stock for the Imperial pullers and probably wont be making any more of them. I do have stock for eighteen of the 5x4.5" pullers and might not make any more of them when these are gone. Depends on how bored I get with retirement. I will gladly answer any questions about the puller and if you have been thinking about ordering one I cant guarantee there will be anymore when current stock is gone. Les | ||
Apollo 61 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 769 | Will they work on front brake drums also? Lately I've gotten many cars with frozen all 4 drums. | ||
Les |
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New User Posts: 4 | The puller will work on the front drums but the studs on the elongated nuts might have to be a little longer. The spindle on the front looks like it sticks out farther than the axle shaft. I could make one with longer studs. | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Les - 2020-10-23 4:27 PM The puller will work on the front drums but the studs on the elongated nuts might have to be a little longer. The spindle on the front looks like it sticks out farther than the axle shaft. I could make one with longer studs. Les: Here is a photo from Terrance D. (71Chargerfan) showing how far the spindle sticks out from the front drum/hub on a 55 Plymouth. I will take a photo of my 56 Dodge (with 12" Chrysler brakes) tomorrow. It has studs in the drum (as opposed to Terrance D's wheel bolts). (55PlymouthFrontBrakeDrumWithDustCapRemoved.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 55PlymouthFrontBrakeDrumWithDustCapRemoved.jpg (172KB - 355 downloads) | ||
Apollo 61 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 769 | How does it work with the above style early lug nuts? | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Apollo 61 - 2020-10-23 10:15 PM How does it work with the above style early lug nuts? Until Les chimes in with the answer, this is what he told me the other day: "Does your Dodge use lug bolts (threaded hole in the drum) or lug nuts ( stud on the drum)? There is two styles of the puller depending on how it attaches to the drum and they are a different price." | ||
finsruskw |
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Expert Posts: 2289 Location: Eastern Iowa | Those should just pull off by hand. That is unless they have been sitting for years and rusted so bad the wheel will not turn. Just pop that slotted washer off and pull 'em off, no problem. Back "in the day" it was a yearly maintenance procedure. Pull 'em off, inspect, re install and adjust the bearings. Everyone I knew did it, it's how we all got bit by the shade tree mechanic bug! | ||
Apollo 61 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 769 | I just bought 6 FL cars from a closed junkyard. I have towed away 4 so far. I'm 16 for 16 in the frozen drum dept. They were in coastal salt air environment. These cars have been sitting for over 35 years. Some of them I was able to get loose,but I have few that are stubborn. I've tried heat,hammers, etc.. No go. I could really use a tool like this. | ||
NC Adventurer |
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Veteran Posts: 148 | 56D500boy - 2020-10-23 7:44 PM Les - 2020-10-23 4:27 PM The puller will work on the front drums but the studs on the elongated nuts might have to be a little longer. The spindle on the front looks like it sticks out farther than the axle shaft. I could make one with longer studs. Les: Here is a photo from Terrance D. (71Chargerfan) showing how far the spindle sticks out from the front drum/hub on a 55 Plymouth. I will take a photo of my 56 Dodge (with 12" Chrysler brakes) tomorrow. It has studs in the drum (as opposed to Terrance D's wheel bolts). That seems, to me, to be an easy situation to overcome. Simply purchase some threaded rod of the appropriate size and thread count, cut (have it cut) to the appropriate length and thread them as far into the lug holes as possible before using the studs and plate supplied with the puller. Easy solution done once and the pulling studs can be used numerous times in the future. | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9915 Location: Lower Mainland BC | NC Adventurer - 2020-11-06 7:13 AM That seems, to me, to be an easy situation to overcome. Simply purchase some threaded rod of the appropriate size and thread count, cut (have it cut) to the appropriate length and thread them as far into the lug holes as possible before using the studs and plate supplied with the puller. Easy solution done once and the pulling studs can be used numerous times in the future. True but buying LHD and RHD threaded rod with that very fine pitch might be a challenge. | ||
Les |
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New User Posts: 4 | I measured the front and rear drums on my 300D and the front spindle is about 1 1/2" longer on the front. I am assuming that is the same on all Chrysler products. So the stud on the elongated nut would be 3 1/2" long rather than 2". That wouldn't be a big deal to do that. Same on pre-1956 cars that have the threaded hole in the drum. The LH thread studs would be 5 1/2" long and the bolts would be 5". | ||
Les |
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New User Posts: 4 | That is true about the 1/2-20 RH and LH threaded rod being hard to find. RH thread isn't so bad but the LH thread was a problem. I have a local supplier that orders the LH thread for me but stocks the RH thread. I get it in 6' lengths and cut it. | ||
Charlie8575 |
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Regular Posts: 75 | This looks like a very useful tool for a lot of different projects. Charlie Larkin | ||
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