Hey Guys...I know this is the ultimate DUMB..S situation to be in however I am in it. I am replacing the rear drum brakes on my '96 Ram 3500 4X Dually, took everything apart and know I need a picture of both sides to help me with the spring replacement (diff sizes) and other little parts. It appears that the left and right sides are slightly different. I have a Haynes repair manual but it is incorrect--BEWARE--this I am sure of. Can anyone PLEASE HELP with some pictures or links to such.
My truck is in the driveway blocking my other car.

If you view my other posts you will see what I am doing and why.
Thanks in advance
Mike

 

I am betting they are slightly diff bc 1 side houses ur emergency brake. Tho the general placement of the springs shld b similiar. I would try and fit it as close to the other side as u can get and see where that gets you.

 

 

Make sure you don't have both short shoes on one side and both long shoes on the other.

IIRC the shorter shoes go on the front side, but check to make sure.

 

Is that for the driver's side or the passenger side?

The emergency brake cable enters each side differently and for the life of me I've confused myself beyond recognition. I can't figure out what shoes (long or short) go towards the rear, which to the front, and how to be sure the parking brake cable and lever are correct.

KRS

 

That would be the driver-side........
As Sixslug stated, the shorter shoe is the primary shoe, and will install on the forward side of the backing plate.
Both sides are exactly the same.....just a mirror image of each other.
As you discovered, it's always a good idea to disassemble only one side at a time.......I still do it that way, and I've been working on these things for more years than I care to think about.

 

Exactly what Mrclean said, one at a time.

 

With all due respect, they're not a mirror image of each other. The shoe adjusting lever is different; it's on the rear on both sides. Throw that little variable in there and it gets confusing without the FSM mentioning ANYWHERE this little difference.

If I tried to duplicate one side to the other, I'd be in trouble, right?

KRS

 

KRS, if you look at the left side, from outside the backing plate, then look thru the backing plate on the right side, they are the same. If you were to use clear backing plates, and put them back-to-back, they would match.

 

Just checked again (drums still off).

They are a mirror except:

On driver's side, parking brake lever on front.

On passenger side, parking brake lever on rear.

So, if the backing plates were clear, there would be that difference, right?

KRS

 

It's been a little while since I've done rear drum, but that and the the adjuster should be the only difference. On my older car ('66 Newport), they are an identical mirror image, all 4 wheels.