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Through an unfortunate series of circumstances, I have inherited a broken forklift of mystery origin. It has a broken axle (or stripped spline/key or such). In taking it apart in hopes of repairing it, I have it to the point where it looks like the brake drum should come off in order to get to the next headache. So far I haven't been able to budge it. A large puller etc, no luck. The key in the end of the axle looks slightly distorted and is no doubt not helping. It's not hung up on the brake shoes, it still spins freely even under the tension with the wheel puller. The next step is to apply still more BFFI (brute force and...ignorance) but I'm a little concerned I'm missing something. There's no more retaining nuts, snap rings etc. on the end of the axle, nothing on the backing plate that looks like it would interfere. I suspect that whatever broke the axle may have also spalled something between the drum and axle and that's the problem. Just curious if anyone has dismantled this sort of axle and knows something I'm missing. I suppose I could take apart the other side that's not broken (maybe it would come apart easier) to see what's under the drum but not really looking for more work. It's kind of a horrible old machine but the engine runs and the hydraulics work and, most importantly, it's pneumatic tired and will run on rough ground (if I can make it go again). If the only thing still holding the drum to the axel is rust, galling etc., I'll work on concocting a more forceful puller since it appears I have to get the drum off to access whatever wheel bearing is under there to pull the broken axle. Suggestion?