Can't Get Drums Back On

[Sea_fever]

Hi, I'm new here, and I'd appreciate some advice.

I've got a 2WD Ranger, 2.3L 4 cylinder. 9 inch drum brakes in the rear. Anyway, I was putting in new rear brake shoes. The drums came off fine, I put in the new shoes, and now the drums won't go back on.

I retracted the adjuster screws as far as they would go, made sure I pushed in the wheel cylinders, and the drums still won't go back on. The shoes are just a hair too thick. I got new drums, because the old ones were in pretty tough shape, but neither the new or the old drums will fit over the new shoes.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

E brake stuck on?

 

[Sea_fever]

Don't think so, I pulled the release to make sure. Unless it could be stuck on somehow even after I pulled the release?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Cable could be seized.

 

[Will]

Sometimes they are tough, I think because the shoes cock slightly when you push the drum against them. Try turning the drum like you are screwing it on.

 

[Toms01PSD]

+1 on the cable could be seized and try screwing them on. Also, put the new drums you got on top of the old drums you took off to make sure they are the same diameter. I bought some drums from autozone that were valucraft and they didn't fit, they were too small in diameter. Also with the seized cable, try pushing the pedal all the way down and then pull up on the pedal with your foot as you pull up on the release. Sometimes that will help free it up.

 

[Mark_88]

I've had similar problems (who hasn't?) and it could be the e-brake stuck as mentioned, or it could be the shoe position...if you didn't apply brake grease to the contact points that may help...as does using both hands and slapping the shoes inward in a pitter-patter type action...for lack of better words...

The other thing may be that the top of the shoes have a groove in them...that fits over the cantilever or pivot point...and they should be both right up against that...

It is unlikely that the shoes are too thick, especially if your drums are worn a bit...that's what I thought was wrong with my front pads until I found out that the calipers actually adjust (they were so rusted I didn't see the adjustments on them)...it's easy enough to get frustrated with this type of job if you've only done it once or twice (or never)...but it just takes a bit of patience and sometimes redoing things to get them right...

 

[pocket-rocket]

I bought some drums from autozone that were valucraft and they didn't fit, they were too small in diameter.

No offense to anyone that likes that store, but I try to avoid it at all costs... I've had way to many parts returned to there along with some bad advice from the workers (the sticking caliper diagnosis when only one tire was stopping my car comes to mind- the problem ended up being the master cylinder). I had a Honda Prelude and I went through 2 clutches and 9 alternators on that car. About the only use I have for them now is a last resort if other parts stores don't have what I need and for other stores to price match.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It is unlikely that the shoes are too thick, especially if your drums are worn a bit...that's what I thought was wrong with my front pads until I found out that the calipers actually adjust (they were so rusted I didn't see the adjustments on them)...it's easy enough to get frustrated with this type of job if you've only done it once or twice (or never)...but it just takes a bit of patience and sometimes redoing things to get them right...

Adjustments on brake calipers????? Do tell

 

[Toms01PSD]

Adjustments on brake calipers????? Do tell

+1

 

[Mark_88]

Adjustments on brake calipers????? Do tell

+1

Sorry...not my Ranger...maZuki...the fronts on a Suzuki Sidekick have adjustable sliders on them that allow the caliper to expand/contract...the sliders on mine were under a coat of rust and I didn't see that they should have allowed the caliper to expand wider...I had to walk to the nearest parts store to have a look at one and once I saw it I slapped my forehead and walked home...uphill both ways in three feet of snow...

But the point is...something is not right if they are stock parts...

 

[TomB1269]

Are you sure you have the right shoes.............There is a tow package option which has a larger drum. Therefore slightly larger shoes. I'll be you where given 10" shoes for a 9" drum. As you stated every thing is backed off (adjuster, wheel cylinder, etc) and you are using new drums.........

 

[AllanD]

10" shoes are bigger than the backing plate for the 9" the problem woulf be obvious as the bottom hung off the backing plate...

Have you knocked off the "rust rim" on the inside of the drum?

AD

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

He said he's got new drums allan so that can't be the problem

 

[Sea_fever]

Update on the problem:

After some fiddling (had the return springs on the wrong shoes), I can get the new drums on, but not the old ones. However, once I have the new drums on, there's way too much friction; I can't turn the wheels by hand at all. Like I said, I bottomed out the adjusting screws, so I don't seem to be able to retract the shoes any further. I tried suggestions you guys me above about the e-brake, it really doesn't seem to be on.

There is a little bit of a rust rim on the old drums; I've knocked most of it off, but maybe I need to do some more rust-busting.

The guy at the local parts store (autozone) said maybe the shoes I bought were too thick, but he's never heard of something like that happening. Seems pretty unlikely to me.