I got an 06 Ford Ranger 2 wheel drive with 155k. I'm changing the rear drum pads. But when I'm done changing the pads an springs, the drum won't go back on. It bumps on the actual brake pad. I already turned the self adjuster to the shortest point. But it didn't work. What could be the problem?
See if the wheel cylinder's pistons are all the way retracted. Maybe loosen the bleeder valve and see if you can push the brake shoes together and get the pistons to go in a little more.
That literally did the job, Thanks @jack62!!
Since you retracted your adjuster all the way you may want to pop off the rubber plug on the back of the brake plate and spin that star wheel to expand the adjuster so you have a closer clearance between the brake shoes and brake drum. Use a screwdriver to spin the adjuster's star wheel until you feel/hear the slightest contact of the brake shoes on the brake drum as you spin the wheel.
If you don't, you may have to add some brake fluid and your parking brake pedal may go lower than you like
Looks like you already figured it out, I had this same issue when I did the drums in my '99 Ranger 15 months ago. I spent 3 hours trying to figure out what the problem was, and it turned out that one of the parking brake cables was seized and it didn't bother anything until the thick, new shoes were on, lol. I gave the cable a really good yank and the drum went back on. I replaced that cable several months later.
