how do i fix my brake issues?

[kevroc23]

i just bought a 2002 ranger xlt it only has 107k miles it has the 4.0 and a 5 speed 4x4. i bought it and the passenger rear drum is hanging up on it and getting hot. this weekend i replaced the shoes, all the spring and hardware on both sides, when i got to the driver side the adjusting cable was broken so i figured that was the problem and it was causing the passenger side to over adjust its-self. i drove it again today and its still getting hot. i dont believe its the wheel cylinder because its not leaking its bone dry inside no fluid the brakes work fantastic. the abs seems to work just fine. the parking brake works fine i can set it and it holds i can release the brake and it rolls like its releasing what else could be causing the passenger side to get hot? when the driver side is staying cool? thanks in advance kevin

 

[BlueThunder]

I'm having the same problem with my driver's side drum. I'm hoping it's just over adjusting causing the shoes to drag. If that's not it then it has to be the outer axle bearing. I'll know more when I have time to check it out. However, if your brakes are not dragging then chances are it's the bearing. To my knowledge, that's the only other thing it could be.

 

[kevroc23]

I'm having the same problem with my driver's side drum. I'm hoping it's just over adjusting causing the shoes to drag. If that's not it then it has to be the outer axle bearing. I'll know more when I have time to check it out. However, if your brakes are not dragging then chances are it's the bearing. To my knowledge, that's the only other thing it could be.

do you think it could be the wheel cylinder? even if its not leaking? i cant feel it dragging its smooth as can be and the brakes feel like a brand new truck so you think it might be a bad wheel bearing? can i jack it up and check to see if it rocks up and down to see if the bearing is bad? also please let me know what you find out because im lost for words

 

[BlueThunder]

I havn't driven my truck in about a week. I'm waiting on lugnuts for my new rims. When I noticed the heating issue I removed the drum. Actually, I was getting out of the truck and smelled something like hot axle grease. I started looking and feeling around the back of the truck and discovered that the drum was hot as hell. The passenger side was slightly warm in comparison. After removing the drum everything looked fine. I did manually adjust the shoes back in hoping that was the problem. For about 3 days everything was fine. Started heating up again. Removed the drum again. Those brake shoes had adjusted themselves out. I ran them back in manually and then I bent the adjustment clip so that they couldn't adjust themselves. Havn't messed with it since. I'll definitely know more in a couple of days. I want to compare that drum with the passenger side. If this doesn't fix the problem I'm going to replace the axle bearing. That is the ONLY thing besides the brakes that could be creating all that heat. Hope this helps. I'll keep you posted.

 

[BlueThunder]

BTW. I don't know how to check the bearing. If you find out let me know.

 

[cocoasranger]

If you adjusted the brakes for a slight drag and they adjusted themselves loose, then you may have a star wheel in backwards, the left and right star wheel switched, or you bought a new star wheel assembly and they gave you the wrong side. Easy to check.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Make sure your e brake is releasing completely

 

[RangerSVT]

Sounds like you have a wheel cylinder that is sticking, it will expand when the brakes are applied, but when the brakes are release, the cylinders are not returning inside the housing. Do this, with the drum removed, have a friend step on the brakes and watch the brake shoes, they should expand. Be careful not to hold pressure on the brakes too long (apply and release), cause you can over extend the wheel cylinder and you will have to replace it, after releasing the brakes watch to see if they return, if not replace the wheel cylinder.
SVT

 

[kevroc23]

Sounds like you have a wheel cylinder that is sticking, it will expand when the brakes are applied, but when the brakes are release, the cylinders are not returning inside the housing. Do this, with the drum removed, have a friend step on the brakes and watch the brake shoes, they should expand. Be careful not to hold pressure on the brakes too long (apply and release), cause you can over extend the wheel cylinder and you will have to replace it, after releasing the brakes watch to see if they return, if not replace the wheel cylinder.
SVT

that is exactly what ive been thinking it was this whole time just have been dreading changing it out because its a pain in the arse to get the breaks back to where they were after cracking into the brake lines but im thinking thats what ima have to do

 

[modelageek]

that is exactly what ive been thinking it was this whole time just have been dreading changing it out because its a pain in the arse to get the breaks back to where they were after cracking into the brake lines but im thinking thats what ima have to do

would it be the wheel cylinder is sticking or would it be that the springs are not pulling the shoes closed.

 

[RangerSVT]

The wheel cylinder...Even 20 year old springs will still have enough to return the shoes...The return springs are equivalent to using super stiff TTB coils on a SAS axle...Unless something came loose in the brake assembly and is binding the shoes from returning (which was stated it was inspected and found ok), the only thing that it would be is a sticking wheel cylinder, which is more common than you would think
SVT

 

[metalmacguyver]

Look closely at your Ebrake cables. On all 3 trucks I have seen with this issue, that was the cause of the problem. They chaffe through and get dirt sand and rust inside the cable which prevents it from sliding smoothly and releasing the brake all the way.

If your cables are already FUBAR, cut them right at the drum and use a thin screw driver to push cable in as much as you can. If the problem goes away, you will know what needs to be fixed.