New brakes, rear wheel won't spin when lugs are tightened

[Toon]

I just installed new shoes, drums and spring kit on my 1999 3.0 ranger RWD and when the wheel is off, the drum spins freely but as soon as I tighten down the lugs I can't spin the wheel at all. I tried taking the shoes out and bolted on the drum and wheel only to see if it was getting stuck on the backing plate but that's not it either. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[adsm08]

Can you try it with just the drum, no wheel. The drums may be wrong and sticking on the backer.

 

[Toon]

Can you try it with just the drum, no wheel. The drums may be wrong and sticking on the backer.

Tried that too, it spins fine. it only gets stuck once everything is put together and wheel is torqued on

 

[Uncle Gump]

Sure sounds like you have the wrong drums... do a side by side comparison.

 

[Toon]

Sure sounds like you have the wrong drums... do a side by side comparison.

The drums fit beautifully and it was only getting stuck on one side, the other side was fine. I can't do a side by side because when I got the truck it had no rear brakes at all no shoes no drums not even lines

 

[8thTon]

Or there's a nasty ridge on the inside of the drum?

 

[Dirtman]

Take pics

 

[Toon]

I tried switching sides with the drums. I put the one that was getting stuck on the side that wasn't and Vise versa and I was getting the same result, so I know it's not the drum. Both drums look exactly identical

 

[adsm08]

Or there's a nasty ridge on the inside of the drum?

Not likely. If that were the case it should do it without the wheel too.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The drums fit beautifully and it was only getting stuck on one side, the other side was fine. I can't do a side by side because when I got the truck it had no rear brakes at all no shoes no drums not even lines

If they fit beautifully... you wouldn't be here asking why they don't fit.

Maybe the backing plate is bent...

 

[Dirtman]

This is like asking a doctor to diagnose skin cancer by smelling it over the phone...

 

[8thTon]

Not likely. If that were the case it should do it without the wheel too.

A ridge around the front edge (by the wheel face) could push against the shoes once the wheel is bolted on - pushing the shoes against the backing plate and binding.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The OP side he tried the drum with no shoes on the backing plate...

 

[pjtoledo]

tighten then lug nuts in small increments checking the wheel for free play. when you get resistance tighten it some more but not enough to lock the wheel.
then repeatedly rotate the wheel a small amount, like going back-and-forth between 1 and 2 o'clock. that should produce some marks where its binding.

is the adjuster turned all the way in?
put the drum only about 1/2 way on, is there much room to move it sideways?
if you think the shoes are dragging on the drum mark the shoes with a magic marker, rotate drum and inspect for contact areas.
what happens if the parking brake cable is disconnected?

 

[pjtoledo]

I see you have a 4" drop, and the vehicle came with no rear brakes.
is it possible the tire is hitting something?

when was the last time this truck was driveable?