- Joined
- Feb 28, 2001
- Messages
- 8,145
- Reaction score
- 4,551
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Dayton Oregon
- Vehicle Year
- 1990, 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Engine Size
- 2.3 Turbo
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 6
- Tire Size
- 35"
I originally swapped a drum Explorer 8.8 into my '90 Ranger for ease since it's fairly simple and I'd never had issues with them in the other couple axles I've had in the ol Ranger (between everything it'd had 3 different 7.5's in it, two with the same brake components...). When I put the 8.8 in it worked fine most of the time but I'd also put in a lunchbox locker, every now and then the drums would stick and I would be driving normal and come to a stop light with the rear end locked up and squealing the tires sliding sideways... That got old so I bought a junkyard axle with discs to just use the brakes (I made $20 converting to rear discs after selling the other axle...). In my climate the rear discs work great and I have no complaint. The parking brake on the other hand in the discs COMPLETELY BLOWS, if I'm in the sand out wheeling and in low range I can set it and drive off (manual trans with a turbo 2.3L so no bottom end...) barely noticing... My Explorers (two V8 explorers...) don't care if the parking brake is set either, I've tried several adjustments and they are "just enough".
That said, I'm not in the rust belt, so I have little issues with anything rust related...
To get back on topic, if you clean up the axle flange then put some grease or antiseize on the axle flange where the drum aligns that might help but there's nothing really to help the step behind the shoe contact area.
That said, I'm not in the rust belt, so I have little issues with anything rust related...
To get back on topic, if you clean up the axle flange then put some grease or antiseize on the axle flange where the drum aligns that might help but there's nothing really to help the step behind the shoe contact area.