Pulling the rear drums is the only job I've ever tackled that made me question my sanity for driving these old cars. First tried with a rented "one-size-fits-all puller". That didn't work, so I took the car to the local chain muffler & brakes place for their "Free Inspection". When I came back later that day one drum was still stuck and they'd broken their puller! They finally got it off with heat and a slide hammer. I felt so guilty I gave them my new parts and paid them to install them. Since then I bought the JCW puller which works fine if:

-you thread the castle nut backwards and part way on to the axle to keep it from deforming when you start banging on the puller

-you tighten the puller, put some heat on the drum, then bang on the bolt, tighten & bang, etc. It usually "pops" off.

Phil;

If you see wetness back there, its equally - maybe more - likely your brake hydraulics are doing the leaking.

Regarding the puller, I purchased the one you mentioned (JCW No. 12LY5996P) a while back, also just to have on hand. It is a decent piece, and works fine. Marked on it: Rimac 0151, MFG. USA...I've used other drum (even beefier) pullers which included the two sided "stricking wrench" which is NOT included in the JCW piece. If your drums haven't been off in a long time, or have a big ridge, or were not reinstalled using anti-seize on the tapered shaft, you will probably have to use some serious impact force on whatever wrench/breaker bar you use with this puller to pop those drums off. If your adjusters are free (hopefully), backing them off will help once the puller pops the initial hold. Good luck, and when you finally get them off, I suggest you 1. grind away ridge on drum before reinstalling (anti-seize on shaft), and 2. Rebuild adjusters with anti-seize - you'll love how freely adjustable they'll STAY.

While your buying pullers from JCW... I suggest you look at: No. 81LY2149N lever type tie rod/ball joint puller tool works well and doesn't beat up the booty. At $16, its also nice just to have on hand.

Regards,

There is a drain hole in the backplate, just under the axle tube. That should show whether the seal is leaking. Two types of seals, depndent on ENV or Spicer axle.

Regards