Yes, you can remove the drums and do full servicing of the rear brakes
without removing the 46mm nuts.

There 11mm head bolts holding the drums on to the hubs. Remove these and
the drums can come off. They can be good and stuck though if they have
been on there a while. Use a good penetrating oil and hope for the best.

Mark

Steven Dodson wrote:
>
> Sounds like there are good ideas and some conflicting views but one thing
> seems constant, I'm going to have to get inside the drums to see what's up.
>
> Will the drums come off without removing the axle nut? I know, it's been a
> while and never on a VW. I guess SEARS might carry a decent 3/4" breaker
> bar, but who carries the 46?mm socket? I might have to special order that.
> What's with the special puller they show in the VW manual? Is it really
> necessary or is there another way?
> Thanks guys!
>