Hello ford ranger forum! This is my first post. I have been having some confusing issues with my brakes, and I would really appreciate any advice offered.

My rear drum breaks began grinding a few weeks ago. I stopped driving my truck when it started grinding, and after I took off my drums I realized that I needed new shoes. Also, on one side the drum was slightly grooved from the shoe rivets, so I decided to get new drums as well.

I took apart my rear breaks on one side, and I successfully replaced both the shoes and the drum. I tightened the adjustment screw untill the drum and shoes were contacting, and then backed it off just as it said to do in my repair manual.

However, after I replaced the shoes and drum on the rear left side the drum does not fit properly over the shoes. I have tried taking it apart several times to see if a simple readjustment would fix my issues, and that has not worked. I have also tried putting the old drum back on, and that does not work either. My hunch is that the springs that attatch the shoes could be too old to be functioning properly, but I am not sure about that.

Does anyone have advice for me on what I should do? I would really appreciate it because this repair has been frustrating me, and I can't seem to figure it out.

-also, on a sidenote, I bought 9'' shoes and the corresponding drums. I am certain that I have the correct parts because they match the old ones exactly.

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.5L 4cyl. short cab, short box

Can you post a photo of both sides with drums off?? Maybe will see something you missed.
It sounds like you know what your doing but in rush to get it done you might have missed something......
Question, do you have the leading & trailing shoe in the correct way?

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2011 Ranger XLT 2x4,4.0 SOHC, 5 Speed Auto, 3.55 Rear. Oxford White.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Torque it down till it breaks off, then back it off 1/4 turn.

Do you have the E brake spreader bar in correctly, make sure the E brake cable isn't hanging up keeping the shoes wider apart, check to see if the cyl isn't stuck in the apply position.

I don't know if doing this would prevent the drum from going on, but it crossed my mind so I'm throwing it out there.

You didn't by chance put the 2 secondary shoes on that side did you?
And the 2 primary shoes on the other side that you can get the drum onto.
The primary shoe which goes towards the front has less lining on it than the secondary shoe which goes to the rear.
And if I recall correctly, the lining material on the secondary shoe is a little bit thicker also.

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Dale

2003 XLT Ext Cab. 3.0 2wd. Auto. Current driver.
1996 XLT Reg Cab. 2.3 2wd. Manual. My 1st Ranger.

An expert is someone who knows everything about something they've never done before.

This is my thinking too, that's why I asked him to post photos so we can see if that's the case.
And your correct about the orientation of the shoes.

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2011 Ranger XLT 2x4,4.0 SOHC, 5 Speed Auto, 3.55 Rear. Oxford White.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Torque it down till it breaks off, then back it off 1/4 turn.

Thank you for the advice everyone. I am about to be out of town for a few days for work so I will not be able to post pictures until early next week. I will take each side apart and take a couple good pictures, and I will try each of the suggestions that I have gotten so far.
Thanks

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How do I go about checking to see if the cylinder isn't stuck in the apply position? I have not heard that yet but that sounds promising.

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.5L 4cyl. short cab, short box