I started the rather process of removing the brake drum assembly to get to the main bearing hub.
![1979 VW Beetle - Drive Side Rear Drum Assembly](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/2020_Murbella_Project/Day_04/2020-04-11_Murbella_Day04_8.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
You can tell how little driving I did in 2018 and 2019 as the rear bakes have almost no dust and as still extremely clean from when I redid them 2 years ago. I remember how filthy the previous set was when I bought her and took off the drum.
![1979 VW Beetle - Bearing Hub and Stub Axle](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/2020_Murbella_Project/Day_04/2020-04-11_Murbella_Day04_3.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
The pads are still good. I’m still not sure if I’ll put her original backing plates and these whole assemblies into her original parts bin. I doubt I’ll ever go back to rear drums but it may be good to keep these and the e-brake.
![1979 VW Beetle - Bearing Hub and Stub Axle](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/2020_Murbella_Project/Day_04/2020-04-11_Murbella_Day04_4.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
Everything came off quickly but the stub axle could not be pushed from the housing and bearings.
It is a friction interference fit but I could not get it to come out.
I tried multiple blows with some mid-size rubber mallets and it does not want to move a millimeter out.
I am not yet ready to hit it with the metal hammers yet.
![1979 VW Beetle - Bearing Hub and Stub Axle](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/2020_Murbella_Project/Day_04/2020-04-11_Murbella_Day04_2.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
Now I tend to be far more careful with trying to break down old classic car parts and I probably did not apply enough force.
There’s there part of me that just does not want to risk any damage to anything that I plan on reusing so I error on the side of caution.
I removed the shock as well.
I had put this on new 3 years ago so it doesn’t have much in the way of miles in it either.
![1979 VW Beetle - Driver Side Axle - 13.40 degree spring plate](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/2020_Murbella_Project/Day_04/2020-04-11_Murbella_Day04_10-e1586655682670.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
The spring plate is set at 13.40 degrees without the body and engine weight.
Given out steep the driveway is and how I often scrape the tail pipe going in and out, I doubt I can lower her rear end without seriously risking more exhaust damage.
1 thought on “Murbella – Day 4 – Hub Disassembly”