Brake Hub/Drum Is Stuck And Cannot Be Removed From Spindle - What Can I Do?

Published 11/07/2023

Question:

I have one brake drum on my trailer that I cant remove. I removed the nut and outer bearing but the drum wont budge. I even hit it several times with a 3 lb hammer. It doesnt turn even when there is no power going to it.

asked by: Gary

Expert Reply:

It can certainly be tough to remove a stuck hub. There really isn't a tried and true method to get your hub off, particularly if yours somehow got hot enough that it basically welded itself to your spindle. I would use a bunch of WD-40 and just go at it with a hammer or rubber mallet. It may be impossible to remove without damaging the spindle. Or in a lot of these cases the spindle can already be damaged beyond repair - thus the stuck hub. In this case replacing the spindles, or the entire axle may be your only option.

expert reply by: Jesse M