Why can't shops ever get the drums correct?

[computersoc]

I have 231k miles on my 2001 XLT RWD with manual transmission. I've had my drums and shoes replaced maybe 4 times in the past 20 years. Each time, the shop seems to leave my ebrake cable in some sort of disrepair or the drums and shoes themselves not properly working. Is there something difficult about this design or what is causing such hassle for me to always be going through this?

This time, the ebrake feels soft when I push it down and the ebrake light stays on, even when I disengage the ebrake. I don't get any smells when driving around but will go back. What likely is the issue causing this? I got new drums, shoes and hardware springs.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Its not complicated, but it a PITA. I hate doing drum brakes. It could be number of issues, most likely improper reassembly, or damage during disassembly. I usually do one side at a time, using the other side as reference. I would take it back to whoever worked on it.

 

[Dirtman]

Your mechanic sucks, it's that simple...

 

[sgtsandman]

Drum brakes aren’t that hard. They can be a PITA but they aren't hard. The same goes for setting up the parking/emergency brake. Like Dirtman said, the mechanics you’ve been going to just suck.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Its one of those jobs where a 3rd or 4th hand would be nice, mainly to hold stuff in place while springs go in. Anyways, when done in correct sequence, and with a good drum brake tool kit to deal the springs, its not that bad at all.

 

[55trucker]

Is there something difficult about this design or what is causing such hassle for me to always be going through this?

Nothing that a competent licenced mechanic should not be able to sort out. If the rear brakes are not functioning properly a visit to the shop manager is on your to-do list.

If that doesn't resolve the issue then a refund on the work is due (credit card chargeback) & take the truck to a competent shop.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yup, drums are pretty simple, just annoying. Lot of high tension springs and everything has to be lined up. One thing out of whack and there’s problems. A competent shop should be able to do it no problem. Unfortunately the world is full of hacks and lazy people

 

[Dirtman]

Nothing that a competent licenced mechanic should not be able to sort out.

I always find this hilarious...

There's no such thing as a "licensed" mechanic in the U.S.

I mean, there probably should be given how complex vehicles are getting but it'll never happen.

 

[RobbieD]

We don't need no stinking licenses.

If we let mechanics have licenses, next thing you know, drivers will start demanding licenses.

 

[Dirtman]

The US has a good system. If you're a bad mechanic you don't stay in business long...

Plus being licensed doesn't mean anything more than you passed a test. I know alot of people with ASE certifications that I wouldn't trust to fix my lawn mower. Being a good mechanic takes more than being able to pass a test, it takes work ethic to not cut corners. Like doing a drum brake job, you can slap parts on and call it a day or you can take the time to inspect everything, lube everything, make perfect adjustments, and test your work before giving it to the customer. Sometimes it takes alot of time to take parts off and clean them up right before reassembly but that's what doing the job right requires.

 

[RonD]

The Parking brake light works off a switch on the parking brake pedal assembly, so no connection to drums/shoes
Same "brake" light is also connected to a sensor on the brake Master cylinder to warn of low fluid level, so check fluid level

 

[broncc]

sounds like your adjuster is out of spec. Its best do do it with the wheel in the air. Chock a front wheel and jack up one of the rear. With the transmission or tcase in neutral spin the wheel. There is a rubber plug on the bottom backing plate to the drum. Stick a screw driver in there and turn the wheel until the brakes just barely drag.

 

[RonD]

You can do the same thing by holding brake release handle out and then pumping the parking brake pedal, that spins the self adjusters, on both sides, until they are tight, you can't over-tighten them with this method

 

[broncc]

Do the 8.8s have self adjusters? My 07 with the 7.5 was only manual.

edit: after thinking about it for a bit, even after I rebuilt by drums and used anti-seize everhwhere the adjuster simply did not work

 

[CrabGuy]

You can do the same thing by holding brake release handle out and then pumping the parking brake pedal, that spins the self adjusters, on both sides, until they are tight, you can't over-tighten them with this method

Thank you. I wish I had known that trick when I did mine. I ended up having to insert a small screwdriver to release the one way catch on the star adjuster while fitting my brake tool into the same opening; the adjuster just wouldn't rotate and release after I over tightened one side. It was incredibly frustrating and I could been done so much sooner.