Pulling rear axles

[diesel_lv]

I'm going to be getting another 3rd member for highway gear road trips. When I disassembled before, I was rebuilding everything, including rear drums. I will not be doing anything to the brakes this time. Can I pull the axles without doing anything to the brakes other than removing the drums? TIA

 

[MoparLeo]

Should be nothing more than Loosening up the shoes before removing and readjusting when you put it back together.
You already know about checking seals while you have it apart.

 

[diesel_lv]

Should be nothing more than Loosening up the shoes before removing and readjusting when you put it back together.
You already know about checking seals while you have it apart.

Kool, just checking before I dive into it. I thought all I needed was to remove retaining plate bolts, and slide axles out. But was being lazy n not starting computer and going through manual. Gonna be going to 2.76's for highway cruising. W the gear vendor is should put me at 2,200 rpm at 80. 1k less rpm n hoping for better than the 10mpg I get w the 3.73's.

 

[Dave6T4]

Kool, just checking before I dive into it. I thought all I needed was to remove retaining plate bolts, and slide axles out. But was being lazy n not starting computer and going through manual. Gonna be going to 2.76's for highway cruising. W the gear vendor is should put me at 2,200 rpm at 80. 1k less rpm n hoping for better than the 10mpg I get w the 3.73's.

What are you running for an engine? Is it going to be happy running that low an rpm? 2.76 X 0.7 (O.D. ratio) will give you final drive ratio of about 2.00 : 1. I remember having a 1987 5th Ave. with 2.21's and it was real lazy with a 318, but the engine was so mild, it could live with the low revs. I am thinking that if you are only getting 10 mpg with 3.73 X 0.7 = 2.60, your engine must be built a little bit. I am afraid of your engine lugging at that extremely low highway rpm, and you not seeing much improvement in mileage. My 440 in my '67 Coronet runs about 16 mpg (Canadian gallon), which equals about 12-13 U.S. with 3.23 gears. Just my $0.02.

 

[Darter6]

As MoparLeo stated. On 10''drums I usually pop the top 2 springs and slide the shoes away from the wheel cylinder to get the axle bearing retainer to clear.
Like you I plan on removing my 4.10's in favor of the 2.76 as my plans changed from racer to street car.

 

[Ron H]

Recall had to disconnect top springs and remove the strut to yank my axles out.

 

[diesel_lv]

@Dave6T4 , it's a 496 stroker w over 550 lb/ft tq from 3k up, peaking at 670 lb/ft. Fuel injection. 15" vacuum at idle in park n 13" idle in drive. Hydraulic roller cam. Will have no issue cruising at 2,200 on the highway. Even 20 miles of 7% grade will be no issue, it will not be lugging. It had 2.76 w the stock 383 w/out o/d and turned same at 60mph. It could light the tires from a stop and had plenty of go while cruising.