New rear axle requires different drum brake hardware

[Paisano]

I have a 92' Ford Ranger with 2.9 V6.

I am getting ready to do a complete rear axle assembly replacement at the end of the month. I am replacing the original 7.5 axle with an 8.8 axle.This requires
a different Ranger model year range for the drum brake hardware kit. Some of the hardware kit pieces for 99 to 2008 look different that what is used on my 92' drum brakes.

My current Chilton manual does not have pictures or a diagram for these later hardware parts. Is there an installation procedure for the later Ranger drum brake hardware?

Also the drum brake hardware kit does not contain the parking brake link and parking brake lever. And it doesn't look like these are sold. Can the link and lever from the 92' parts
be used with the later drum brake setup?

 

[Uncle Gump]

The difference is 9 or 10 inch brakes. I don't believe those parts interchange.

 

[Paisano]

My 92' Ranger has 10 inch drums and this new axle assembly backing plate uses 10 inch drums also. I made sure of that.

The compatible drum brake hardware for this reman 8.8 axle assembly is similar but has some differences from my 92' Ranger.
Why is the setup different on later Rangers, if old and new are both 10 inch drums?

Would the hardware from my 92' Ranger work on this new axle drum brake backing plate for 99-2009 Ranger (or whatever the year range is)?
Would the old parking brake link and lever at least transfer over to the 99-2009 Ranger drum brakes?

 

[Shran]

I am fairly sure that you can use your existing brake parts on the newer axle. You will need to use all of it - backing plates, drums, hardware, etc. Everything.

Can't tell you why they changed things. You have to remember that Ford changes small things sometimes on a yearly basis or even more frequently - the fact that they used the same rear brake hardware as long as they did prior to the change is pretty surprising. I think the 9" drum parts were basically the same from '83 - sometime in the late 90's. Some engineer or bean counter thought it would be better or save money and thus we're having this discussion.

 

[Paisano]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But I think I would have to do some partial disassembly to remove the backing plate.
I can't do that. This is a reman axle assembly with 3 year warranty. If it needs the parking brake lever and strut, I don't know which ones to get and if these are available. I'm running out of time. This has to be finished first week of June

Am I going to end up with no parking brakes now?

 

[Paisano]

Is this drum brake photo the correct install for the hardware pieces in the link below............for roughly 99-2008 Ranger?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/brakebest-hardware-hydraulics/brakebest-drum-brake-hardware-kit/bhh0/h2335/v/a/5520/automotive-truck-2001-ford-ranger?q=H2335&pos=0

 

[Uncle Gump]

It is the correct photo... showing correct installation of the hardware.

 

[gaz]

Your solution is to follow Shran's advise and put everything from the backing plate outward on the rebuilt axle...Warranty be damned.

If you are worried about the axle "failing" withing 3 years...I have used 10 and 20 year old axles. It is a very simple and cost effective system to rebuild also, should it fail.

I must admit that I do not know your intended use but in my rigs, I have mostly just driven them; camping, cross continent trips, daily drivers, pretty much fire road queens.

The backing plates are interchangeable, this IS your saving grace.

 

[Paisano]

Thanks. But I'm not inclined to switch out the backing plates since I would have to remove the axle shaft.
But I am still open to the possibility.

I did some research. There is evidence that I can use the parking brake lever and parking strut from my old 92.'

If I run into compatibility issues, then it might be better to switch the backing plates.

Tough call

 

[Shran]

No one is ever going to know that you removed the shafts nor will it damage anything. Do it, swap backing plates, glue the diff cover back on, fill it with oil and forget it while enjoying brakes that function.

 

[Paisano]

I never removed the axle shaft before. I looked up the steps. Is it generally a trouble-free procedure?

So the old backing plate will have the same mounting bolt hole alignment as the new backing plate?

 

[Ranger850]

@Paisano, if you have both axles to look at, compare/contrast the two setups. Measure some stuff. A lot of these parts are interchangeable, even though changes were made through the years.

 

[Paisano]

Yes. Ranger850. What you're saying seems to be in line with my research. I believe the parking brake strut and lever will transfer over too. But I'm not absolutely certain. That is the critical part.
I do have both drum assemblies to compare. I have late model drum brake hardware kits on standby

 

[don4331]

I never removed the axle shaft before. I looked up the steps. Is it generally a trouble-free procedure?

So the old backing plate will have the same mounting bolt hole alignment as the new backing plate?

Pictures are worth 1k words.

Ford has 2 backing plate mounting hole patterns:

Light duty 7.5/8.8 and (Rangers, Mustangs)​

Heavy duty 8.8 (Explorer, F-150)​

So almost guaranteed they are same.

Is your axle open or limited slip?

Open axles are piece of cake - the one special tool you would need is a long/strong 6pt 5/16" wrench to remove the bolt for the cross pin.​

Limited slip has an additional "Z" spring that needs to be uninstalled.​

 

[Paisano]

The reman axle assembly is 8.8 with 4.10 gear ratio. I don't know what category that falls under.