Hi, I have a problem I can't seem to figure out. The passenger side rear brake will keep adjusting putting a drag on the truck. I got the truck and both of the back brakes were beyond shot, no padding on the shoes, everything frozen and rusted and broken. The drivers side basically fell out when I took off the drum.

2002 Ranger 2 wheel drive. I replaced the brake drums, the shoes and all of the hardware. I did get a right and left side adjustment kit.

Drivers side (left no problem)

The passenger side (right) keeps adjusting.
I have looked to see if I messed up anything (you tube) and I have everything in the right place, Long shoe on the back and short one on the front. The springs in the right place and I made sure I have a right side adjustment kit by buying another and looking at the parts.

Darndest thing it keeps adjusting so for the time being I put a left side adjuster to keep it from adjusting but I need to find out what is going on and figured you guys could help me. I don't have a picture (which I should of taken so you could see)

 

Maybe try getting a new adjuster could be defective or maybe a spring kit

 

If you haven't already, play around with adjustment on the starwheel adjuster. The drums on these trucks are awful. I did mine less than a year ago and there was already a broken off part sitting on the bottom of the drum when I pulled them to clean the shoes two weeks ago.

My 99 was the same way. Disc swap in the near future for me

 

[QUOTE=Blueblaz;2074943] I made sure I have a right side adjustment kit by buying another and looking at the parts.

This keeps doing it very fast, will start to lock up after a few test stops. I have changed out the parts with the new kit and still doess it.

The only thing I can think of is the brake shoes. Going to but a new set fromn a different place and check to see if they match up.


Like I said darnedest thing, I never had a problem like this and I have done quite a few brake jobs.

 

there's been frequent issues on brake shoe thickness. recently a member used raybestos parts and they didn't fit correctly.

 

Hi, Still have a problem with this issue. Is is possible this truck should have 10 inch brakes instead on 9 inch brakes and could this be the reason the brakes are locking up.

 

2002 Ranger 2WD Regular cab XL or XLT would have 9" brakes/Drums.
4x4, extra-cab, tow-package would get 10", I think Edge and Sports packs also.

If you had 10" drums you should have noticed because backing plate would have looked way to large for the shoes.

Self-adjusters should only work when backing up and using the brakes, or when emergency brake is used.
Either of these cause the adjuster lever to push on the "star" wheel in the direction that UNscrews it, so it pushes the shoes apart farther at the bottom.
If the star wheel was installed in reverse or threads were reversed then each time you used the brakes going forward, the shoes would get tighter and tighter.

The star wheel threads are different on each side, one is regular "lefty loosy, righty tighty", the other is reverse, "righty loosy, lefty tighty", lol.
If you got all new parts maybe they gave you two with the same threads

 

Thank you for the answers. the first set of brakes were bought at autozone ( not me) I went and bought a whole new set of pads, springs and star wheels in case it was one of those you mentioned. Left and right sides. The passenger side is the one that is given me the problem, when I put on the drum it is tight, not too tight, but I didn't have any adjustment, wheel was all the way in. As a matter of fact the drivers side was looser but still I did not have to adjust. The only thing I did not change was the drums themselves.
Kind of weird if you back up 10 feet and then drive forward you can feel a bump like the brakes are grabbing.
The truck is an extra cab, 2 wheel drive. And I should say I have done a couple of dozen brake jobs and never had any problems. I figured the backing plate would be larger if they were 10" pads, they fit right in but I am perplexed as to why they tighten up. I know I put the left side on the left side, larger pad facing the back and the star wheel lines up with the automatic adjuster.

I also know I got the left and right side adjuster wheels.

Anyways thanks for the information, it is greatly appreciated.

Blue

 

Just wanted to update this thread.

I went out and bought all new springs and hardware from a reputable car parts place, ripped out the autozone hardware and installed the new stuff and poof all my troubles went away.

I matched up the autozone parts with the new parts and they all looked the same except the automatic adjuster cables from autozone were 1/4 inch shorter.

Anyways, I won't be using autozone parts anymore. By the way I did not buy them in the first place.

 

Are the star wheels marked left and right?