Rear brakes...piecing them together!

[Hagan]

Almost ready to put my axle in and it was time to do the brakes. I got some brake parts off the same body style truck 93+ (didn't check actual year) and got what I thought was all I needed. I got new shoes and drums and I'm trying to put the hardware from the old shoes to the new ones and nothing is seeming to line up. Like there is this bottom spring mounted thing on the old one and its pressed in so I took it out and put it in my new one but the hole is bigger. Now I'm at a loss and wasted more money on this piece of junk. I've seriously been working on this thing for at least 2 months and the little stuff is just getting irritating. Does anyone have pics or idea's whats going wrong? My axle is a '93 8.8 with 10" brakes. I got new wheel cylinders too and its time I get this rolling...Thanks!

 

[Insanejughead]

Pictures... Would be most helpful to us for you to explain these things. I couldn't help but feel helpless when I read the words "thing" here and there.

Which number of part in this picture are you talking about?

http://www.procarcare.com/images/shar/encyclopedia/89689P00.jpg

 

[Hagan]

The brake shoes do not match...so does this mean they decided to switch brake shoes and parts for certain years???

 

[Insanejughead]

No. Instead, just realize that the brake shoe that is attached to the emergency brake will have a longer surface area. Though, if your shoes are of a different radius, that would be a problem.

I know that I could have your brakes together in just over an hour with minimal help, but since you're having all of these problems, I'm wondering if you have acquired the wrong parts for your axle.

I'm not insulting your identification skills, but are you sure that it's an 8.8"? Rangers didn't normally come with the 8.8", instead they were commonly fitted with the 7.5". I've seen people often confuse them, and I have once or twice without realizing it for some time, but in this case it's almost crucial because the 7.5" axle came with 9" brakes.

I don't know you around this forum, but do you have any pictures of your axle anywhere for me to see? I'm kind of paranoid about helping you if I don't give you the right advice when the parts you're dealing with are wrong in the first place.


So, I'm just trying to cover my butt, as well as making sure that you get the quickest and most sound help that this forum is all about.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Check your PM's, I might be able to bring my truck over to your place and just compare stuff since you're in the Salem area too... I'll attempt to find my spare 10" brake parts

 

[Mac]

Rangers didn't normally come with the 8.8", instead they were commonly fitted with the 7.5". I've seen people often confuse them, and I have once or twice without realizing it for some time, but in this case it's almost crucial because the 7.5" axle came with 9" brakes.

Both the 7.5 and 8.8 could be had with either size of brakes. Axle is not what determines the size of brakes, it's the GVWR - breaking point of 4580 lbs. Pictures would sure help. I usually just spend the little extra money and get all new hardware. See page 8 of atttached PDF
Dave of the Nord

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3814&d=1291944625

 

[Hagan]

The brakes came off a Ford Ranger that the drums (yes the drums) were labeled like min 10" or something like that...because I kept seeing 7.5's and not 8.8s with 9" drums. This is a ranger 8.8 axle

This is the only pic i have now.

 

[Hagan]

Here are pics of tonight...

Right - New/Left - Old

 

[scotts90ranger]

do all 4 shoes look exactly the same? I see what you're talking about, but the bigger hole isn't even in the right spot, if all 4 shoes look the same then they either gave you the wrong ones or something else is going on. If it were me I'd just grab a 3/16" drill bit and put a hole in the right spot.

 

[Hagan]

Yeah all 4 shoes are identical. Another problem is a piece was pressed in on the old shoe and the hole is too big on the new one. I just dont get what happened. Maybe I got the wrong shoes???

 

[scotts90ranger]

Now that I think of it, that bigger hole is for a different style spring, I have a spare set of hardware if I can find it that I believe uses that style spring, I'll try to dig it up tomorrow night, you're welcome to it if it works...

 

[Hagan]

Ok that would be great! I was just looking at pics of different year shoes '93/'97 and the shoes were different. Either one will work for my application. I also need those things that push out on the brake shoes (they stick into the brake cylinder and push out on the shoe). If you have any of those I need them! Its hard to explain the name of it.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I know what you're talking about, I think I only have a couple...

I found a pic of the hardware setup for those shoes:

That's how mine is set up

 

[koda6966]

SWEET I was hoping there was a picture like that somewhere.

I just ordered brake hardware for my 8.8, it's stripped down like the axle above lol.

 

[Hagan]

Yeah I don't think I will EVER buy an axle without brake parts again. I only paid $100 for it and it has a lock-right so I guess I can't complain.

But thats how it should work. So what do I need to buy?