Hello all!

This weekend I decided to take on a new adventure by changing my rear drum brakes on my 95 Ranger after I got sick of hearing them squeal everywhere I went. I have never changed drum brakes before, so this was a scary endevour at first. When I first removed both drums, the same piece fell out of both sides, which I eventually realized were the auto adjuster cables/hook springs. Both had broken half way down the cable.

After watching a good youtube video and walking back and forth from the right side to the left side, I finally completed the replacement of the the shoes, springs, auto adjuster cable, shoe adjuster, and drums themselves on the right side. The drum went on somewhat snug but not enough to cause an issue turning the whole drum without the wheel installed. I then went to the left side full of confidence.

I replaced all the same hardware as the right side and it was all going well until it came time to put the drum on. When I attempted to put the drum on, it was a very tight fit. I made sure to adjust the adjuster all the way in, which didn't help much. I eventually was able to pound the drum on with my hands. When I tried to turn the drum, I couldn't do it. I thought it might be the ebrake, so I tugged on the cable a few times to loosen it, but still didn't help. Now I can't get the drum off the left side and when I drive it, I feel it catch in one spot on each rotation. After I get to work, I can feel the left drum is quite hot to the touch while the right side it fine.

At this point, I'm not sure where to go with this. Could I have a bad brake cylinder? I did notice when I tried to stop it from bleeding out, it was a lot easier to push the two "forks" in and they seemed to bleed out quicker than the right side. Any advice?

Oh! Also, before I changed the brakes, my ebrake light would always stay on and still does now, even after changing the rear brakes.

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1995 Ranger Supercab, 4.0L V6, OHV, 4x4

Anyone have some thoughts on this?

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1995 Ranger Supercab, 4.0L V6, OHV, 4x4

I had a similar issue.
i would say given you had to pound on the drum, and the ebrake light is on... that the ebrake is sticking. replace all the cables. easy to do not too expensive.

i would say it is catching. i changed all my hardware, and teh cylinder and still one side was sticking. had to replace the cable.


also if it is hot to the touch after driving, dont' drive it till its fixed.


did you change the drums too? if not, they could be warped that is why you are having them catch only on 1 spot.