Why can't shops ever get the drums correct?

[19Walt93]

ASE certification is a joke, it gives independent shops that don't have access to training and official looking certificate to hang on the wall. They used to send me info to sign up for their tests a couple of times a year. I brought the practice test home and my wife passed with a 70 with just what she's absorbed listening to me and my friends, she's never even changed a tire or checked the oil.

 

[computersoc]

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

Do I need to jack up the rear wheels?

 

[RonD]

No, just pump the pedal, you WILL feel it get tighter if they were out of adjustment
If it stays the same then adjustment is not the issue

Check the equalizer, the part where the 1 cable from the pedal becomes 2 cables, one to each wheel, outside of frame drivers side

 

[RonD]

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

All rear brake shoes will have self adjusters

If they don't work then they were installed incorrectly
There is a left and right adjuster, they are usually labelled L and R, if reversed then they will not work

Backing up and using the regular brake pedal to stop adjusts the shoes as well
Pumping parking brake pedal just does it faster if Parking brake is not used often, or after installing new shoes

 

[computersoc]

No, just pump the pedal, you WILL feel it get tighter if they were out of adjustment
If it stays the same then adjustment is not the issue

Check the equalizer, the part where the 1 cable from the pedal becomes 2 cables, one to each wheel, outside of frame drivers side

I pumped the ebrake pedal probably 40 times. The ebrake pedal feels pretty normal now but the light still stays on when when I disengage the ebrake. Master cylinder level is fine. What should I try next? Thanks.

 

[RonD]

Does the e-brake pedal come up all the way?
Lift it with your foot to see of light goes off


Google: 2000 Ford Ranger Parking Brake Light Repair

Watch the 1:58 video on switch location and possible fix if its sticky

 

[computersoc]

The pedal comes up all the way. I tried lifting it more with my foot and it was already in the highest position to begin with. Light stays on.

I'll have to try the WD40 tomorrow on the switch when it's light out.

 

[sgtsandman]

All rear brake shoes will have self adjusters

If they don't work then they were installed incorrectly
There is a left and right adjuster, they are usually labelled L and R, if reversed then they will not work

Backing up and using the regular brake pedal to stop adjusts the shoes as well
Pumping parking brake pedal just does it faster if Parking brake is not used often, or after installing new shoes

Not all, the parking brake they put on the 2010 & 2011 Rangers with the disc brakes are manual adjustment. With they way they had to shoehorn the mechanism in there, I don't think they could have squeezed a self adjuster in there.

 

[RonD]

The pedal comes up all the way. I tried lifting it more with my foot and it was already in the highest position to begin with. Light stays on.

I'll have to try the WD40 tomorrow on the switch when it's light out.

You can also unplug the switch and see if brake light goes off, that would confirm its that switch that is causing the light to be on and not the sensor on the master

 

[RonD]

Not all, the parking brake they put on the 2010 & 2011 Rangers with the disc brakes are manual adjustment. With they way they had to shoehorn the mechanism in there, I don't think they could have squeezed a self adjuster in there.

Actually they do, #8 at this site: https://www.tascaparts.com/v-2011-ford-ranger--xl--4-0l-v6-gas/brakes--rear-brakes

 

[sgtsandman]

Actually they do, #8 at this site: https://www.tascaparts.com/v-2011-ford-ranger--xl--4-0l-v6-gas/brakes--rear-brakes

Yes, there is an adjuster in there but it isn't an automatic. Just a spring to hold the star wheel and the star wheel. Gotta check it at least once a year. A bit inconvenient but at least there is an adjustment.

 

[RonD]

I see what you mean but the spring moving when cable is pulled tight should push on star wheel enough to expand it as needed
But yes I don't see the lever that would normally tighten the star wheel on that diagram

 

[sgtsandman]

I see what you mean but the spring moving when cable is pulled tight should push on star wheel enough to expand it as needed
But yes I don't see the lever that would normally tighten the star wheel on that diagram

I would need to look again but I think that spring is there specifically to hold the star wheel. I don't think it has anything to do with controlling the shoe movement. I'll probably be adjusting them again in the fall. I was in a bit of a rush last time and only got the parking brake set to "good enough" instead of where is really needs to be.

 

[RonD]

Doesn't make any sense at all for it not to be self adjusting after 1950's, lol

But in fairness I have only done rear disc hybrids(disc w/drum) on GMs and they were self adjusting

But I did look at other Fords with hybrid rear brakes and there doesn't look like any where self adjust was added

So I would avoid Fords with rear disc brakes unless you like driving around with pre-1960s brake mechanisms
4 wheel Disc brakes can be an upgrade, but not if you can't park on a hill, that's just unsafe all around

 

[Jazzer]

Using a self locking binding strap around the shoes to keep them cinched up really helps. I have one I got off an old sleeping bag.

-Jazzer