Looking for axles and drums for '51

[TomsHenryJ]

Hello again!

Ran into a problem with our '51 Henry J restoration - we can’t get the rear drums off the axles and I fear we need replacements for both axles and both drums.  We tried the traditional wheel puller with no luck.  Then we cut the heads of the 4 backer to axle bolts, got the axle and drum/backer off, tried to press the axle out.  Knocked the bearing loose but couldn’t budge the axle.  Applied propane torch heat while pressing it (12 ton floor press).  Cut the race and outer cage off the bearing, that allowed the backer and brakes to come off so we could get to the inside of the drum/hub assembly.  More penetrating oil (although its not rusty at all), more pressing.  Got out the cutting torch and heated the hub to red glow, still wouldn’t press out.  With it glowing, beat end of axle until it started to mushroom, still won’t come out.

Is this unusual?  Anyonen have drums and axles, or a source for them?  Backers and brakes look fine.

Thanks in advance
Dave and Tom

[Fid]

We once purchased a 1951 Henry J with stuck brakes (not uncommon at all since the cylinder is iron and the piston is aluminum they weld together if the car is not driven regularly) and we had to heat the drums with an acetylene torch till they were red before we finally got them off.  No damage to any parts though.
Even though the Henry J used 3 different rearend ratios, depending on which engine / transmission configuration you have, the axle shafts are all the same regardless.  Tex Dean in Claremore, OK likely has what you need, contact him at 1-918-341-4813
If you choose to replace the entire rearend, be sure to replace it with the correct one or your car will not perform very well. They way to tell which on you have is by the tag on one of the cover bolts. There will be a tag that reads either 41/10, 41/9 or 47/11.  Notice the tag on this one - it reads "W 41/9" -

If you get the wrong one, the car will go about 45 mph before the motor starts screaming!