I just got back from crappy tire and found out there are two different sized brakeshoes listed for my 01 ranger edge. Is there a way to determine what size shoes are on my truck without having to take the drum off? There were listed as 9 and 10 inches for a 15 inch rim.

 

measuring the inside of the drum is how I have always done it. Not sure if the VIN decoder will tell you that or not. You could always lay under the truck and measure the inside diameter with the wheel and drum still on.

 

I know my 4wd 4.0 extended cab has the 10" drums. Take one off and take it in to be sure.

 

Looks like thats the plan, I'll have to give it a go tonight, I'm out the door shortly to go pickup some Alcoas I found for dirt cheap. Basically paying scrap weight for the cause they need a little work. Since I'm on holidays this week I've got time to fix em up right. I was hoping to pick up the brake pads while i was out.

 

I'm pretty sure you'll have 9" ones, but don't trust me alone lol. Someone else will probably know for sure.

 

I phoned Ford and gave them my VIN number. I deal with them alot, and I got the right person, and even they said there was no way to tell whether is a 10 inch or 9 inch drum. Best thing to do is measure it. Thats it.

 

OK so I took the tires off and measured the drums and they are they 10" pads. The problem I have now is that when I took it off there was fluid or grease in the drum. It is only on the lower half of the drum. The wheel cylinder seems to be ok, no give to it and nothing leaking around it.



I cleaned off what I could looking for a leak and couldn't find anything, I 'm thinking a possbile cracked line? Anybody have anyother ideas. I'm gonna go get the pads tommorow so I should get a better look at it then.

 

My 2001 is a 10" Its stamped right on the drum but its not an edge so might not be the same

 

ok this job is getting more and more annoying, got all the parts and started doing the brakes. I got everything off the drivers sideand found a fluid leak, Looks like it might be a rear diff seal(I sure hope not) The brake had to have been original and at some point the hubs had been submerged it water and it was left sitting like that so all the hardware was rusty, the shoes didnt really look worn still more than 1/16th left on the old shoes. so on to the passenger side, I couldn't get the hub off the passenger side. So I popped the port on the back and tried turning the brake adjuster wheel, no go. After 5 hours of swearing prying and a whole can of 3in1 spray I finally got the hub off and holy **** it was worse than the other side everything was rusted and seized, pads looked brand new. Everything was seized open, I had no rear brakes at all. The wheel adjuster is seized and will not rotate. I have the threaded side out now and the parts are soaking in penetrating oil. Is this a commonly available part? I'll likely just go get a new one if it is. If not lets hope it lets go so I can lube it up until I can get one from a wrecker.

 

Just get a hardware kit from Napa or something. With brakes, I personally would want everything new.

 

Looks like you may be in for (or at least should do) a rear end overhaul basically. Brake rebuild "kit" with springs, cylinders and pads and judging by that leak, axle seals and since you're doing axle seals diff fluid change also. Personally I'd do it all at once and get it out of the way and done, no use wrecking new pads with diff fluid and having to pull it all apart again to redo your own work.

Entire job should take no more than 2-3 hours.

 

got it all done, nice to have rear brakes again. They had a secondary hardware kit so I went and got it. damn but that hub was on there freekin tight.

 

Could it be accurate to say all 1998 Ford Ranger XLT Ext Cab V6 4.0L 4x4 would have 10" brake shoes?