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MG TD TF 1500 - Brake Drum Does Not Want To Go Back On

I replaced the brake wheel cylinders and flex brake lines. The shoes were in good condition and the bearings still had plenty of grease. I scuffed the shoes and cleaned the drums. Now putting the right front brake drum back on it goes on part way and then stops. The end of the spindle is just past the outer bearing. The wheel turns, but will not go on any further. I had to use a custom puller to get the brake drum off, it was really stuck on.

I though of using emery paper on the spindle or inside of the bearing. Putting grease on the spindle (there is plenty on the inside part of the bearing).

I do not have a reverse drum puller.

Any suggestions besides "get a bigger hammer"?
CH Hull

The brake shoes have to be pretty well centred for the drum to go home. First try fitting without the shoes in place to see if they are part of the problem.
Ian Bowers

Can you get the spindle nut started onto the threads? If so, just start spinning it on. Once it's on far enough to do so, remove the nut and put the heavy washer on under it. Avoid the temptation to start hammering directly onto the hub. Bud
Bud Krueger

Any chance you mixed the left and rights?

Are these wire wheels? If so spin the knockoff on and then get a big rubber mallet or a block of soft pine with a rag and beat on the knockoff to drive it on.

But you really have to make sure you are onto the splines first otherwise you can destroy all sorts of stuff.

The other option, especially if they are disc wheels, is to go to the hardware store and buy a couple of long jawed woodclamps and use them as a reverse puller.
Chris Couper

Have you tried to put the drum on without the brake shoes installed. At least this would let you know where the binding is.

Jan T
J Targosz

If it were the shoes causing the hang-up he wouldn't be able to turn the wheel. It's not uncommon to have to use force to reinstall the bearings on the stub axle, especially if a puller had to be used to remove the inner bearing from the axle. I just went through this on the brake system rebuild of Lazarus. Bud
Bud Krueger

The wheel turns on the spindle just fine, just will not go on. Not enough threads on the spindle to get the nut on. I removed the brake shoes and tried it without shoes. Same results. Looks like the spindle or the bearings have expanded a micro amount.

Suggestions to fix this minor problem?
CH Hull

You might try a little heat on the inner race of the bearing. Not with a torch, but maybe a close fitting proper OD socket wrench that's been heated away from the job. Shouldn't need a lot, no warmer than you can hold your finger on will expand the race a bit, and shouldn't be enough to tighten against the rotating bearing elements.
good luck,
Al
A W Parker

Honestly, it's just the reverse of the situation that made you have to use the puller to remove the drum. Did the inner bearing renmain on the axle when the drum came off? Did you locate both bearings into their positions in the drum? What you'll need to do, until you get enough thread showing to use the nut, is to hammer on the drum until threads show through the outer bearing. A heavy hammer, hitting through a piece of wood, rotating around the drum, between the lugs, will eventually get the drum far enough in to use the nut. try not to allow the drum to go off center. Bud
Bud Krueger

You can also use ice to cool the spindle, as well as warming the bearing. George
George Butz

CH,
Are the brake adjusters backed off all the way?

George
George Raham [TD4224]

Quote> George Butz, Florida, USA, geebee3@verizon.net

You can also use ice to cool the spindle, as well as warming the bearing. George <Quote

That's exactly what I would do! Dry ice is the best for the spindle and an electric heat gun to warm the bearing inter race. Let the spindle soak in the ice for at least 30 min, than quickly slide the hub on. Don't stop mid way to admire your work or you will need the puller to get it off and start over. JMHO. PJ
Paul sr

I will try the dry ice and heat gun this weekend. If nothing else, my beer will be cold and pizza hot.

Thanks for all the suggestions.


Chuck
CH Hull

Putting the dry ice on the spindle and using a heat gun on the inside of the bearings worked GREAT. Those drums slipped on nice and easy. The right front went on most of the way and then just tightening the castle nut with my fingers took it all the way home. I liked it so much I chilled the rear spindles as well, just so life would be easy.

Thanks for the help
CH Hull

This thread was discussed between 08/09/2013 and 13/09/2013

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