How to replace drum brake shoes on your classic Ford Mustang 

How do you know if ur brake shoes need wheel cylinder links or not because neither of my fronts had any brake parts besides the wheel cylinders when I bought the car besides the left rear tire

5 lug cars used the wheel cylinder links. 4 lug cars didn't.

Oh awesome I really appreciate that!

Thank you! We are trying to keep up. Seeing supportive comments is very helpful to stay motivated.

Oh awesome thank you!

Oh very cool! Glad we could help!

🤣🤣🤣

@@AlfsMustangGarage I never said, I was in the middle of fitting brake shoes and suffering. 👍

Very nice. Sounds like you're making some good progress.

Ha Ha ya we don't get to work on too many drums nowadays.

Thank you

You're very welcome

Yup, we have to reference the gloves now in every future video.

Thank you

You're very welcome

It sure does.

That would be a good idea 👍

I was thinking the same before I read this post. Excellent explanation on everything presented.

Thanks! Hardest part is doing this while working around a camera and lighting that are setup to give a good visual.

We had a great holiday season, hopefully you as well. So the thing with coil springs is you do want the rest of the suspension together. You have to get the tool that goes inside the spring from the top. Most loaner tools are not what you need. I had to buy mine off Amazon but it was only $40 for the OEM brand tool. You definitely don't need to take shock tower cover off, just the shock absorber itself. They are a pain and I will film one next opportunity. I'm limited to film on what I get hired to fix. I will post some links of videos that helped me as well as a link for the tool I used. Just remember, patience is your best friend with these cars 👍

@@AlfsMustangGarage Thank you so much. I have put the suspension together but not tightened down everything. I a happy to buy the tool, it's cheap money to save the time and frustration. I look forward to the link to the tool and thank you again!!

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00825PYBA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 There is the OEM tool from Amazon ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wR9VyxsOaCQ.html Here is one of the videos I watched. Its short and sweet but it gives you an idea of how to do it. Its not as easy as it is in the video. They are a pain but once you get that tool, it should make life much easier. Just be safe and make sure that thing is on there secure.

Hey Scott, I just filmed a coil spring video for you this morning. I had an old spring I pulled off a car and I just filmed it on a bench but hopefully that gives you a good visual of how to use that tool and get it to work for you. I'll get it edited and loaded as fast as I can.

@@AlfsMustangGarage You are amazing, thank you so much!!! Also I wanted to mention that I noticed your wife is in your last video helping you. I know that she helps out on all of your video's, just wanted to say it was great seeing the two of you working as a team. I commend you both.

Wouldn't hurt to try. You can get the self adjuster kits at local parts stores.

Hi, did you ever fix that lower adjustment sleeve, im having the same problem

Have you checked the brake shoe thickness and compared to the drum thickness? Also have you tried the old drums to see if it does the same thing?

They are definitely missing. They are supposed to be there. Luckily you should be able to pick up the "self adjuster" kit from most local parts stores.

@@AlfsMustangGarage Thanks so much for the response....Do you think not having these parts are effecting the way the parking brake actuates? I have replaced all the components of the parking brake: the handle, front cable and the rear cable and the parking brake doesn't hold the wheels. The adjusting rod under the car is almost maxed out, there is maybe 1/4" thread left for the nut to bottom out. Thanks so much for your response. I am learning as I am working on this car. I am hoping to put a Wilwood front disc conversion for the front. Maybe I should just purchase all new components for the back brakes

So those missing components are likely not affecting the park brake. What those do is adjust your brake shoes automatically as the shoes wear. However, there is supposed to be a park brake link which a a flat looking bar that will allow the shoe that the park brake cable is connected to, to push over the other shoe manually. If you Google park brake link for classic mustangs, you'll get an image of what it looks like so you can see if you're also missing this piece. I hope that helps. Perhaps another word of advise on your front disc brake conversion. What kind of power and speed is your car going to go through to justify Wilwood brakes? They are very nice products but most people I talk with are working with cars that are stock and just cruise. If that's your case, I would suggest a different kit. Let me know what you find out on the park brake 👍

Thanks!!! The parking brake equalizing rod does exist. I have been looking into replacement parts for the rear brakes components (CJ PonyParts, John's Mustangs, NPD.) I am not set on the Wilwood front disc conversion. I just like the way they look. I will also be replacing the stock single bowl master cylinder with a dual bowl. This car is basically a cruiser with the stock 200 cu. in. engine. I have put in a Tremec T5 5 speed from Modern Driveline. This car does have a power booster for the drum brakes, but I still really need to step on it to stop. I am looking for a more solid braking experience and wanting to also have the parking brake work properly. I really appreciate you responding to me. Your input is really helpful. Thanks!!!

Oh cool. Ya you may need to have someone help pull the handle while you watch the shoes with the drum off to see if they are working. Wilwood definitely look good. Do they offer a 4 lug disc conversion? Definitely a good idea to upgrade that master cylinder as well. Sounds like an awesome car. Good luck!

Thanks Scott! So that sounds like the backing plate gasket. It should be round and between the spindle and backing plate. There should be replacements available from National Parts Depot or CJ Pony parts. I would check there first and I would definitely get new ones if rebuilding everything. It's was there from factory so I wouldn't go without it.

@@AlfsMustangGarage thank you so much, I will look for that right now.

The hubs are removable from the drums.

It would be relatively similar. These are the small 9" drums that came on a 6 cylinder Mustang. But either way, the procedure is going to be the similar.

Yes its necessary to remove

Yes

@@AlfsMustangGarage I noticed the were no plungers going into the wheel cylinder. Is that normal? Trying to do my brakes and getting conflicting info on if there should or shouldn't be any.

No plungers on 6 cylinder cars. Brakes shoes go right into the wheel cylinder.

@@AlfsMustangGarage thanks for the help!

You're welcome

Which hardware kit did you buy? Are you working on 9" or 10" brakes? Definitely nothing wrong with reusing old pins if you're having problems finding the correct replacements.

​@@AlfsMustangGarage, 10 inch. The main issue is that there isn't enough room for the guide plate which most thrown away anyway because you don't necessarily need it. Just wondering if you have any idea about it. The hardware kit is from advancedauto. It is simply a generalized version for 10 inch. All parts worked except for pins that were too long in our case. The shoe guide plate is also a generalized part, but even if you got the specific part it seems there isn't enough room on the anchor pin anyway. The only other solution is that this shoe guide plate isn't large enough and that the plate is supposed to sit on the larger-diameter area after the pin. shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dorman-help-drum-brake-shoe-guide-13896/17190239-p?product_channel=local&store=6191&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&store_code=6191&gclid=CjwKCAjww-CGBhALEiwAQzWxOjqooYMLZY_nUtSDW-T78CtDnckaPgi08jfL1fG4F7wB2VZii4WXKRoCDIEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/wearever-drum-brake-hardware-combi-kit-7045/5311551-P?searchTerm=10%20inch%20brake%20drum%20hardware

I guess I've yet to run into this issue. The one you listed isn't anything I've ever seen or used. This is the design I'm used to seeing. I'm guessing you just have the wrong part. Take a look at this one and let me know what you think. www.cjponyparts.com/ford-drum-brake-shoe-retaining-washer-pair-mustang-1979-1993/p/HW2261/?year=1986&gclid=CjwKCAjww-CGBhALEiwAQzWxOlkZzu_ox8LDIx5czMazebXxXit_UhWP9oMGl6qo1rHm6r4kaKOuZRoCZrAQAvD_BwE

@@AlfsMustangGarage, ​ @Alf's Mustang Garage , is this the same part? They just have different years? Also do you know if the plate fits onto the anchor pin or the "shoulder" area. www.cjponyparts.com/brake-shoe-retaining-washer-1965-1973/p/HW1236/

Yes my mistake. I didn't realize I was on the 79-93 part. They're probably different sizes but that version that you just posted should be the correct one.

The rears are very similar. You will have the park brake that connects to the rear shoe and you also have a link bar that links the two shoes. Other than that, it's the same deal.

As far as the steering goes, finding those noises is somewhat of a challenge. Is it a power steering car? Thanks for watching and subscribing.

Hey.. thanks for responding.. no its a manual steering.. the upper and lower ball joints feel good.. there's no clunking or popping.. just kind of a groaning.. Lol

No problem, so what I usually try to with noise diagnostics is first determine under what conditions the noise is occuring. Will it make the noise while parked and turning or does the car have to be rolling/driving? Does it make the noise when going over bumps? Once you do that, you have to ask yourself does it happen when something is twisting, turning, or flexing. So is it the control arms flexing going over bumps, is it a tie rod or steering box turning, or is it a wheel bearing twisting. Once you have a couple good ideas, you can try to replicate that with the vehicle in the garage.

@@AlfsMustangGarage ok yes I will try to determine exactly..I noticed it when turning..thank u.. 1 last thing GO PACK !! Haha were playing the colts in a little while 😁