Grease and Oil in the Drum housing

[saveatreeeatabeaver]

The title says it all. Before going in for an inspection, I did a mini inspection just to make sure nothing would turn to shit. Well, I popped off the rear passenger wheel and removed the drum to see what the shoes looked like. The springs/shoes/drum were covered in thick grease/oil. I popped off the other rear wheel to get a feel for how bad this is. The other wheel is fine.

1) I'm assuming a seal broke somewhere in the rear brake/axle. What seal could this have been?

2) I plan on taking this opportunity to change the drums, shoes, and doing the full hardware kit for the rear drums (springs and such). What size are my drums? I could probably pull one and measure, but the thickness tosses in another angle.

3) Anything I should know about the process of drums/hardware/shoes and whatever seal broke?

Thanks
Russ



1996 Ford Ranger 2.3 L 2WD

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Most likely an axle seal if its really thick gunk in there. Could also be the wheel cylinder or both. To change the axle seal, you have to remove the diff cover, drain it, remove the cross pin, remove the c clips that retain the axle shafts, remove the shafts and replace the seals. If you are doing one side do the other.

With a 2.3L you probably have 9" drums, measure the drum to be sure tho.

When doing the brakes, only take apart and re assemble one side at a time so you are able to use the other side as a reference point.

 

[bobbywalter]

i would add its possible the axle shaft is toast and the bearing is ate up.


in any case easily fixable.

most times if all it needs is seals it is because the wheel cylinder was leaking for ahwile and took it out.


but in my experience...usually a shaft is getting bad.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

That too.

2 ways of fixing that. With a new axle shaft, or with a repair bearing/seal combo that moves the bearing surface to a different part of the shaft.

Personally I would get a new/used shaft.

 

[saveatreeeatabeaver]

I don't know too much about axle shafts, however I assuming both should be changed at the same time?

 

[snoopdoggie]

I don't know too much about axle shafts, however I assuming both should be changed at the same time?

Not a necessity. They aren't in "matched sets" or anything. But changing the bearing on the other side at the same time you have the differential open for the original problem side would be a good idea. And a good inspection of the second axle could be done.

 

[saveatreeeatabeaver]

I will be working on the vehicle starting on Tuesday or Wednesday when my Thanksgiving break starts. I will certainly keep everyone updated as to what the problem ended up being. Thanks for the help!!!