Issues, Issues, Everywhere there are Issues!...

[GetItMuddy]

Hey y'all,
Its me again.
Over the weekend, I replaced the rear brakes (9") on the truck. Initially, I was trying to figure out why my parking brake doesn't work and found that whoever changed brakes last, just didn't bother to hook it up on the pass. side.
Further more, the didn't re-install the PB actuator lever....Had to find one at the JY.
Well, Got her back together but the separator bar (?), between the two shoes at the top, didn't fit. It kept the shoes from contacting the anchor post. Who needs those anyway?!
Got it all back together, bled the brakes, rotated the tires and now have a few issues....
1-I have no brakes. It was better before I replaced the PB actuator lever. I can stop but the pedal goes almost to the floor.
2-It now sounds like the bearings are shot but I cant tell from where. Front, back left, right? Only seems to make the noises when Im doing around 25-40mph. I did replace a wheel stud on both sides in the back so maybe all that beating messed something up?
3-Steering issues. She now wants to go all over the place. Let her drift to the right and she tries to yank to the right. Pull her back to the left and she tries to yank to the left and then back to the right. Theres no correcting. Its a battle the entire drive.

At one point I had a bounce that felt like drivers side rear and after I rotated the tire, the bounce is somewhat gone but at around 70 it seems to have moved, but still there.
Im thinking I need a wheel balance and alignment.

Any ideas fellas?

Oh, BTW, I still have no Parking brake!

 

[96Indyram]

Did the truck make this noise before messing with the rear brakes? Maybe something is out of place and is rubbing inside the brake drum.
I would jack the front end up off the ground and check everything out for wore out parts. Tie rods, ball joints, etc.
I would even double check the lug nuts lol.

 

[GetItMuddy]

Oh, well if that's all.....The tie rods need replaced, ball joints need replaced, camper bushings need replaced....I suppose that those things need to be done before an alignment is going to help with anything. I did re-grease everything which seemed to aid in the hard pulling, instead of help....
No noise before the brake job....will have to pull the drums and check everything again.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Post a pic of the brakes when you get into it again. Both sides. You will have to do the front steering fixes before any meaningful diagnosis.

 

[enjr44]

Don't remember if this is the right or left side (they are mirror images); but, it should look like this when put together correctly. Enlarge the picture on the left.

https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=B211US0D20141003&p=ranger+9+inch+rear+brakes

 

[GetItMuddy]

Yes ENJR44, mine look like that...now. Except that the metal piece/bar with the oblong spring on one (Goes between the two shoes) end is missing....

 

[enjr44]

That is the parking brake spreader bar. When you apply the parking brake, that bar presses the brake shoes against the drums. No parking brake without it.

 

[bobbywalter]

scary.


with either front tire off the ground....how much slop is there in any one direction.

 

[GetItMuddy]

Ok, so NOT having it should affect the function of the brakes, right. Just the parking brake?

 

[enjr44]

Ok, so NOT having it should affect the function of the brakes, right. Just the parking brake?

Got me. Brakes are sort of important and I think they should be put together the way they were designed. With all the parts and installed correctly. If you don't have them get them from a junk yard or Ford.

 

[MoonKnight13]

Muddy, check LMCTRUCK.COM, chooose ford ranger and peruse the catalog for the spreader bar.
I can tell you Autozone doesnt carry it cuz Im a store mgr.
Oreillys might but LMC or ROCK AUTO are best bets

 

[GetItMuddy]

Moon, I found it. Its actually called the "Parking brake strut". Oreillys doesn't have it but Advance did in the Dorman Help section. $11 for a bar that could be fabricated in the garage....

 

[MoonKnight13]

Yeah thats usually about right. Lol