Loud noise coming from rear drums

[drupe]

Hey guys I have a 96 Ford Ranger XL and it is making some loud noises from the rear drum brakes. Two things.....when I am almost to a complete stop they squeal like a mofo and also when I back up it sounds like a weak airhorn sound. I just had them cleaned and readjusted about two months ago. Seems like it is much more prominent when it is raining outside and they get wet. U-joints? Parking brake? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Jon Boy]

IMO:
i'd say it the parking brake. the PB (on the rangers atleast) are pretty much junk. i have never used mine in any of my trucks, everytime i have they never seem to totally release and rub about like your talking about, but not as noisey as yours seem to be though.

 

[Jspafford]

It is common on RBV's. The pads expand with the moisture in the air and tend to get really touchy for the first couple stops. From then on out it usually clears up until the next moist day.

 

[metalmacguyver]

my parking brakes have worked fine on my 96 and 97 rangers.

 

[mikeyfrombc]

i just did the rear brakes on my 86 ranger and the rears howl as well , i replaced everything put the backing plates and slave cylinders , my uncle told me certain years for most domestic trucks had issues that made the brakes howl and it,s related to the materials they use for the pads and shoes , he also stated the e-brakes cause alot of noise if they are out of adjustment .

 

[94STXRanger]

you could just get some higher quality pads next time around and see if it helps.

 

[94STXRanger]

Sorry i meant linings/shoes

 

[Simple_serf]

Funny...Mine just started doing this. The only time in the past that mine have made noise is when I blew out a wheel cylinder, and both times when I blew out the axle seal this year....

If it is the axle I am probably going to drive back out to seattle and kill the *&$#er who rebuilt it. Oh...and stop by the Pike for a beer.

 

[thegoat4]

Could be glazed brakes. Pretty common. Just do a few hard stops with some weight in the back (or do it backwards if you don't have anything to throw back there) and see if your brakes quiet down afterward.

And make sure your parking brake is in adjustment like mikey said. With your parking brake all loose there's more room for the shoes to rattle and chatter.