Ford 9 inch, drum brake ?'s

itsabronco · Jul 26, 2011

I got two '72 broncos. Both with the ford 9 inch with drum brakes. One has 11 inch, the other has 10 inch brakes. Why are there different size brakes on the same stuff?

The 10 inch brake set up does not have the automatic slack adjuster gizmo on them.( The cable and the lever that turns the actual adjuster) Should there be one in there? The reason im asking is because the park brake rod that goes between the forward shoe and the park brake lever is not in there. One side has it and one doesnt so i know there are things missing and was wondering if the adjusters are part of the missing items. FOrgive me for not having technical terms but I hope you know what i mean !

The 11 inch has everything there. Its been all done and rebuilt, but when I got to the 10, OH MAN ! someone has been tweekin on that ! I know that not all drum brakes have the auto adjust. Its just the tweeked out missing parts stuff has me wondering.

broncnaz · Jul 26, 2011

Ford offered different GVW's and therefore different sized brakes and bearing sizes were one of the main things that determined the axles rating. your 11in setup will have large bearings and would be considered the 3300 lb axle where the one with 10 in brakes will have small bearings and is considered the 2780 lb axle.
Your 10in brakes should have the same parts the 11in has so yes your missing parts on the 10in brakes.

Broncobowsher · Jul 26, 2011

Up until about '74 it was big bearing, big brake, high GVW option or the small bearing, small brake, low GVW package. Last few years it got a little funny and you get some medium bearing axles which are not quite either of the common older ones.

They should all have the self adjusters (maybe the '66 didn't have them?)

itsabronco · Jul 26, 2011

Does anyone have any pics of the rear drums brakes or an exploded view. I dont want any guess work here !

broncnaz · Jul 26, 2011

Here you go

DSGStang · Mar 4, 2012

Digging up an old thread....

How do you tell if you have a small/medium/large bearing axle?

Is it something I can tell by the VIN or the plate inside the glove box?

My axle code says 18J. And my Brocno is a '75.

Quick & Dirty · Mar 4, 2012

'75 are all big bearing.
If it has 11" brakes, it's the old style big bearing flange pattern.
If it has 10" brakes it has the "Torino", "medium duty" or "new style" big bearing pattern.
At some point all 9" went to the new style flange. (80's?) The Explorer 8.8" disk brake uses this pattern, so it makes an easier swap if you have the '74-'75 small brake axle.

thegreatjustino · Mar 4, 2012

Best explanation of the axle differences over the years:

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/bronco_rear_axle

DSGStang · Mar 4, 2012

Thanks guys, that info is perfect.
I'm going to take a look outside tomorrow.

Viperwolf1 · Mar 4, 2012

Quick & Dirty said:
'75 are all big bearing.

No. There were also small bearing/brake axles in '75.

Viperwolf1 · Mar 4, 2012

DSGStang said:
Digging up an old thread....

How do you tell if you have a small/medium/large bearing axle?

Is it something I can tell by the VIN or the plate inside the glove box?

My axle code says 18J. And my Brocno is a '75.

18 is the small bearing/brake 2780 lb axle, open diff and 3.50 gears. J is power steering.

Ford 9 inch, drum brake ?'s

itsabronco

Sr. Member

broncnaz

Bronco Guru

Broncobowsher

Total hack

itsabronco

Sr. Member

broncnaz

Bronco Guru

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DSGStang

Jr. Member

Quick & Dirty

Sr. Member

thegreatjustino

Red Head Grease Monkey

DSGStang

Jr. Member

Viperwolf1

electron whisperer

Viperwolf1

electron whisperer

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