I have a 2005 FX4 level 2. After 100,000 miles with no problems I had a grinding noise coming fro the rear brakes. After taking the drums off it was discovered that the adjusting cable that runs down to the adjusting star had broken. My father and I did a total brake job on the back replacing everything.

After reassembling the brakes and going on a short test drive (about a mile) the left side brake drum was so hot we couldn't touch it. The right side was still cool. The parking brake cable feels loose. What else might it be?

 

Def. not the parking brake. We unhooked it completely and still have alot of scrapping noises and heat.

 

Sounds like it could be a bad wheel bearing on that side. The wheel bearing is very close to the break drum. hth

 

Are the shoes rubbing the drum consistently?
I know on Motorcraft shoes, when new, they rub the drum and will have to be slimmed down a bit
Mess with the star adjuster on the "dogleg"