How to Replace Rear Drum Brakes 95-09 Ford Ranger

Difficulty: Intermediate · About 90 min · Ford Ranger

Replace rear drum brake shoes on a 1995–2009 Ford Ranger, using the opposite side as a reference and adjusting the shoes for a light drum drag.

Steps

1. Raise the rear and remove the wheel

   Chock the front wheels, loosen the rear lug nuts, then raise and support the axle securely. Remove the wheel and keep the opposite brake assembled as a reference.

2. Remove the brake drum

   Pull the drum straight off the hub. If rust has seized it, tap around the drum face evenly; avoid striking the wheel studs or damaging the drum surface.

3. Disassemble the old shoes

   Photograph the spring and lever layout before removal. Release the return springs and retainers, disconnect the parking-brake cable, and remove the shoes and adjuster without mixing left and right parts.

4. Transfer the parking-brake actuator

   Move the actuator and adjuster parts to the new shoe in the same orientation. Secure the retaining clip fully and confirm the lever moves freely before installing the shoe assembly.

5. Install the replacement shoes

   Clean the backing-plate contact pads and apply a small amount of brake lubricant there. Fit the shoes, retainers, adjuster, cable, and springs according to the reference side, ensuring each spring is seated.

6. Adjust the drum and reinstall the wheel

   Fit the drum and turn the adjuster until the drum rotates with slight, even resistance. Reinstall the wheel, lower the truck, torque lug nuts to specification, and test the brakes at low speed.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.