Ford rear brakes

[timkins]

I have an 8" Ford rear end in my car, Mustang II I think. It has 10" drums with 2" wide shoes on it. Is there any easy way to change to 2.5" shoes? Do I need to change the backing plates? I know I will need to change the rear drums but what should they come off? Does anybody have a list of part number required to perform this job.

[kb426]

I believe your rear might be a granada or monarch. The brake listings for a mustang II were 9" The offset from the mounting flange to backing plate will be the dimension you are looking for to see what will fit. If you provide that measurement, it will be easier to determine if this is possible.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

as I recall: the 8 inch differential in my Falcon is an early - mid 1970's Maverick. It has 2 inch wide shoes with 10 inch diameter.  It is a 5 lug axle

[UGLY OLDS]

The axle going in my Model came from a '73 Maverick..302 V-8..Automatic...

The 8" rear axle has 10 X 1.750 rear brakes .....

 Bob...

[Crosley.In.AZ]

I am thinking like Bob...  My brake drums on my Falcon are 2 inches wide , but the brake shoes are 1 3/4 inches wide.

it has been a while since I had the rear brakes apart on the ol Falcon 1962

[timkins]

The distance between the backing plate and the mounting flange is 2.50. The distance on the flange that holds the axle to the backing plate on the bottom is 3.25 " to 3.375 ". The distance on the side of the mounting flange bolt to bolt is 2". I hope that is clear. The axle itself is a 5 on 5" lug pattern.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Pulled off a tire from my 1962 Falcon with Maverick 8 inch under it....  my curiousity got to me.

1 3/4 wide shoes.  10 inch diameter.  Drums are in rough shape

A 5 x 5 lug pattern would not be a mustang II rearend as I recall.  That is a larger car rearend lug bolt pattern

[UGLY OLDS]

Pulled off a tire from my 1962 Falcon with Maverick 8 inch under it....  my curiosity got to me.

1 3/4 wide shoes.  10 inch diameter.  Drums are in rough shape

A 5 x 5 lug pattern would not be a mustang II rear end as I recall.  That is a larger car rear end lug bolt pattern

 Actually the most common Ford pattern is 5 on 4-1/2"... AFAIK the 5 on 5" pattern was only used on some "big cars" ... Mostly '73 & later only...Galaxie...Big Merc ...SOME T-Bird....   Any Mid size, (Torino...Fairlane...Etc will have the 5 on 4-1/2" pattern) ...

I don't know of any 8" axle supplied with any 5 bolt pattern other than 4-1/2"....   Maybe your axle should be measured again to verify ...I have the proper rear drum # someplace if you need it ......

DON'T forget to measure the center of the axle & the big hole in the drum..It makes a difference ... :!:  :!:

Bob..

[timkins]

I guess that is what happens when you get to my age, FAT FINDERS and a POOR MEMORY. It is a 5 x 4 1/2. Thanks for the jog.

[kb426]

Check this out. There's many places to buy this.
https://www.est1946.com/9-inchfordand8220policespecialand8221reardrumbrakes.aspx

[timkins]

Thanks for that link. It sure is better than the $750 that Currie wanted.

[papastoyss]

If you are just wanting to improve your braking, you might look into the rear disc brakes from a Ford explorer. There seems to be plenty of them in the pull a part yards. They are also 5 x 4.5 lug pattern.

[timkins]

I took the rear brake shoes and drums to a local shop that specializes in brake shoe material and clutch surfacing. He stated the drums and shoes were glazed and the shoes that were on the car were meant for high speed stopping NOT for regular driving and stopping. He is going to reface the shoes and custom fit them to the drums. Let you know if there is any difference when I get them back and reinstalled on the car. Thanks to all for your replies.

[timkins]

Last Chapter I promise. I finally got the rear brakes done again. Had to also replace both rear cylinders. Bled the brakes and drove the car. What a difference the new compound on the shoes made. I was finally able to lock the brakes up. This saved me close to 450 bucks as I was about to buy a setup from ECI to change the front brakes as I WAS SURE that was the problem and it only cost me 60 bucks for the upgrade. Local guy who has been in business doing just brakes and clutches. Even had a car in the Great Race. I guess it pays to ask around for suggestions. Thanks to all who have commented or made suggestions.

[Bruce Dorsi]

Matching the radius of the shoes to the radius of the drums probably helped stopping power, as well.