A Ford Mechanic's Guide to Rear Drum Brake Shoes for the 1987-1996 Bronco
Get your classic Bronco stopping safely and reliably by choosing the right parts for the job.
- Always replace drum brake shoes in pairs for both rear wheels to ensure even braking.
- For a complete and lasting repair, install a new hardware kit and self-adjuster assembly with your new shoes.
- Inspect the brake drums for damage or wear; replace them if they are grooved, cracked, or worn past the maximum diameter stamped on the drum.
- Brands like Wagner and Bendix are trusted, high-quality choices for daily driving, providing reliability similar to original factory parts.
Signs of Worn-Out Drum Brake Shoes
Worn brake shoes give clear warning signs. Ignoring them can lead to poor stopping power or more expensive repairs down the road. Be aware of these common symptoms.
- Scraping or Grinding Noises: A loud grinding or scraping sound from the rear wheels when you brake is a classic sign that the friction material is gone. This is metal-on-metal contact between the shoe and the drum, which can quickly damage the drum.
- Weak Parking Brake: If you have to pull the parking brake lever much higher than usual, or if it doesn't hold the truck securely on a hill, your rear shoes are likely worn down.
- Reduced Stopping Power: If your Bronco takes longer to stop or the brake pedal feels soft and travels further to the floor, the rear brakes may not be doing their share of the work.
- Vibration When Braking: While often caused by warped front rotors, severe wear or damage in the rear drum system can also cause vibrations or shuddering during braking.
Choosing the Right Aftermarket Brake Shoes
For a vehicle like the 1987-1996 Bronco, aftermarket brake shoes offer excellent quality, often meeting or exceeding original factory specifications. The key is to choose a reputable brand. Based on owner feedback and brand reputation, here is how the available brands generally stack up for your truck.
Tier 1: OEM-Quality Daily Driver Brands
These brands have a long-standing reputation for producing reliable, durable, and quiet brake components that are equivalent to the parts your Bronco came with from the factory. They are the go-to choice for most owners who use their Bronco for regular driving, commuting, or light-duty work.
- Wagner Brakes: A top name in the industry, Wagner is frequently recommended for its quality and consistency on trucks and SUVs. They are known for durable friction materials that provide confident stopping power.
- Bendix: Another industry veteran, Bendix is often seen as a direct competitor to Wagner, offering dependable, long-lasting shoes that are a popular choice for restorations and daily use.
- Centric: As a major supplier of aftermarket parts, Centric provides OE-quality shoes that are a trusted, standard replacement for many repair shops and DIYers.
Tier 2: Quality & Value Brands
These brands provide a great balance of performance and price. They are solid, reliable options that meet safety standards and are perfect for budget-conscious owners who still demand quality parts.
- Powerstop: While famous for performance brake kits, their standard replacement shoes are a popular and reliable choice, offering good performance for everyday driving.
- Dynamic Friction: A well-regarded brand known for solid engineering, often associated with performance braking, their standard shoes offer a dependable and affordable alternative.
Pro Tip: Always Replace the Hardware
The springs, clips, and self-adjuster mechanisms inside your brake drums work just as hard as the shoes. These parts lose tension and wear out over time. A fresh set of shoes will not perform correctly with old, weak hardware. For a complete and reliable repair, always install a new drum brake hardware kit with your new shoes. It's a small extra cost that prevents noise, uneven wear, and future problems.
Estimated Costs for Rear Drum Brake Shoe Replacement
| Part or Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Aftermarket Drum Brake Shoe Set | $50 - $76 |
| Drum Brake Hardware Kit | $15 - $30 |
| Shop Labor | $150 - $275 |
| Total Estimated Cost (Professional Installation) | $215 - $381 |
Costs are estimates and may vary based on your location and repair shop rates. This does not include the cost of new brake drums, which may be required if they are worn beyond safe limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace my brake drums with the shoes?
Not always, but you must inspect them. The inside surface of the drum should be smooth. If it has deep grooves, a large lip on the edge, or signs of overheating (blue spots), it needs to be replaced. At a minimum, a shop can measure the drum's internal diameter to ensure it's within the safe specification stamped on the drum itself. Installing new shoes on a worn drum will reduce braking performance and wear out the new shoes quickly.
What is the self-adjuster and why is it important?
The self-adjusting mechanism is a small lever and wheel that automatically adjusts the shoes to keep them close to the drum as the friction material wears down. On these Broncos, it typically works when you apply the brakes while backing up in reverse. A failed or improperly installed adjuster is a common cause of a spongy pedal or poor parking brake performance. Replacing it with the hardware kit is highly recommended.
Can I replace just one side?
No. Brake shoes must always be replaced in pairs on the same axle (both rear wheels at the same time). Replacing only one side will cause a dangerous braking imbalance, making the truck pull to one side during stops.
Why is my parking brake still weak after replacing the shoes?
If new shoes and hardware don't fix a weak parking brake, the issue is likely a stretched or corroded parking brake cable. Over decades of use, these cables can stretch, preventing them from pulling the brake lever inside the drum with enough force. You may need to inspect and replace the cables that run from the pedal to the rear wheels.
Technical Specifications
OEM Part Numbers: E7TZ-2200-A E7TZ-2200-B
The most common brake size for the 1987-1996 Ford Bronco with the 8.8-inch rear axle is an 11-inch x 2.25-inch drum. Always verify the specific size for your vehicle before ordering.
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The information in this article is provided for general reference and educational purposes only. Vehicle specifications, procedures, and part compatibility can vary by production date, trim level, and region. Always consult your vehicle's factory service manual and verify part numbers before purchasing or performing repairs. Safety-critical components such as airbags, seat belts, and braking systems should be installed by a qualified professional.
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