Hello new member and have never posted to anything. Hope i can get some help. I removed the rear brake drums on my new to me '62 pv544 and replaced shoes and slave cylinder but now can't get the drum back on all the way. seems like the axle taper is larger than the drum taper so will not go on. any ideas or solutions would be helpful.

thanks in advance

Did you measure both axles and drums? Perhaps they are different sizes.

measured both axle and drum. i.d. on drum is aprx. .60mm smaller than the o.d. of the axle. the same for both right and left side of car. can install drum all but 3/4 in. from backing plate.

It's very common for the drum to be reluctant to come off--enough so that even with the puller exerting great pressure the drum wont budge--and yet left overnight it can launch itself off.
You have not mentioned anything regarding the handbrake cable which also must be left slack. -- Dave

This problem tends to occur when the key is a bit to far into it's slot. Make sure that both the key and the slot are free from burrs so that it isn't forced inwards as you try and get the drum on. A little patience help when you are doing the fit. Don't be tempted to try and force the drum on with the nut. Everything will jamb up and then come loose when you drive it.

Thanks again for your response. I tried putting the drum on without the key in and drum stopped at the same point. I then measured the axle and then the drum..the drum is .52 to .60mm smaller than the axle. Drum was hard to pull off, but it was on the axle. I'm confused. is there some other thing I'm missing.

David;

I saw you replaced Wheel Cylinder and Shoes, but I didn't see where you backed off the Adjuster yet...maybe you're just hung up on the Wear Lip:


See also: http://www.sw-em.com/Brake_Drum_Notes.htm

Good Hunting!

Adjusters are backed off all the way. and there is no wear lip on the drum. the axle shaft is .60mm larger than the sleeve bore on the drum. Drum was extremely difficult to remove. Wonder if previous owner used wrong drum??? the drum came off so it should go back on i should think.

David;

I agree...unless there is some dark magic going on here, that which was once together, then disassembled (only...and not bent or somehow distorted in the process), should be able to be reassembled!

The axle to Drumhub joint is conical, so I don't know how or where you are measuring it, and by saying it is undersized by single number, are you implying it is undersized by that amount all along the cone?...I can't believe that either...I suspect something is not quite right with your method or description...perhaps you should post a few pictures, or maybe a video, including of how you are making those measurements...we would more easily be able to see something unusual...

Questions:...is this the first time you have done a Drum removal/replacement? (do you have previous experience?)...what kind of puller did you use?...was it one of the approved pullers? (see: http://www.sw-em.com/Brake_Drum_Notes.htm#Preferred_and_Approved_Puller_Designs ) ...(or perhaps Drum was distorted by a force applied wrongly by an unapproved puller). We need Details!

Good Hunting!

Thanks for the input Ron. This is not the first car I have worked on. That was a 31 Model A....HaHa That said I think you may be right on with the warped drum idea. I used a large three armed puller and may have concave the drum making the drum appear to not have seated all the way. Going to buy a new drum and give that a try. Wish I would have spent the $100 on the volvo puller first.

thanks for the info. I'll try to put the drum on with slot lined up without the key and then insert the key. hope it works as I would love to drive the car runs great just does not stop.

Did you install the key correctly?

The key should be installed after the drum is properly seated.

Also make sure you install the key in the right direction.

The notched side goes in first with the notch facing the axle shaft.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com