I'm wondering if there are any actual Ford brake shoes still available anywhere. I haven't been having any luck with the parts store replacements lately. They all squeak and grind unless I grease the friction points on the backing plate, and that only lasts for a few days before it starts to squeak again, followed by the rear brakes getting progressively grabbier. I replaced the old shoes that were on there because they were getting thin, not because they were making noise....
The truck is a '78 F150 2WD if that makes any difference.

 

Did you replace the hardware too??

 

Yes, more than once on the worst side.

 

Maybe have the drums scuffed on a brake lathe.

Bonded or riveted linings?

There is a grease specified for those contact points where shoes rub backing plates, it's not just regular wheel grease.

 

How do the backing plates look. They get worn out too.

 

While Ford did offer new brake shoes, most dealers used relined brake shoes bought from an authorized Ford rebuilder.

Rear axle doesn't make any difference inre to brakes, because after 1986, all have the Ford 8.8."

1968/79 F100; 1975/96 F150 & E100/150; 1978/96 Bronco; some 1980/83 F100 have 11" x 2 1/4" rear brakes.

NOS: D7TZ-2200-C .. 11" x 2 1/4" Rear Brake Shoes: GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 1 = 800-543-4959.

Relined: D7TZ-2200-CX .. 11" x 2 1/4" Rear Brake Shoes: CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 4 = 800-476-9653.

 

I've scuffed the drums, cut them, everything.
Bonded, its all anyone sells anymore.
I'm using the proper brake grease as well.

They look ok, there is certainly some wear there however, but it didn't make any noise before I changed the shoes.

 

You probably know this... but I'll mention anyhow.

Like a rabbit. The shoes have a front and back. Lining on the front is short like a rabbit's front legs. Lining on the back is long. Swapping front and back might cause grabbing & noise.

For my D60 rear, NAPA sells a premium reman shoe with semi metallic lining and rivets. They may have the same for the 9". These are working fine for me. IDK if this shoe will help with your problem.

 

Backing plate pads, six of 'em, will get grooved and the shoes won't retract like they should, might cause sticking or grabbing.