'88 Grand Wagon brake job

The emergency brake cable could have been tightened previously in order to compensate for worn drums and shoes. It will have an adjustment on the cable, external to the drum. Part of the brake job is to loosen this adjustment so the new shoes fit properly. I am not familiar with where the cable adjuster is on the Wagoneer, but if you follow the cables towards the front of the vehicle you should find it.

Earle

So I just completed my first brake job! I think I solved the problem of the tight drums by loosening the cap to the brake resevoir (thanks Mike) and pushing the shoes in by hand. I was then able to slide the drums on with a little drag. I got the wheels on and drove it three or four times backward and forward then hitting the brakes hard. Then I took it for a spin. The pedal feels right, and the force it takes to brake feels right. The brakes don't make any scraping sounds and they don't squeel anymore. On a slight grade, in neutral, the car will roll freely. Even though I did not re-adjust anything after I got it back together, I think I'm good to go. I was able to complete the second side in under thirty minutes since I learned from the first side. I wish I had tried this when I was in my twenties (30 years ago) as I could have saved a lot of money over the years. Thanks to all who helped.

Mark

You are welcome.

You will know soon if the adjustment linkages grabbed right by watching the emergency brake handle. If they didn't catch, the handle will get looser really fast so you have to pull it farther each time you use it.

Mike

Cool. Pretty soon you'll be diagnosing all your friend's car problems and have an engine hoist in the garage. :)

Earle