I have my F350 rear brakes all apart and it doesn't seem to want to go back together. I replaced the shoes and rotors/drums and the drums don't want to fit over the shoes. I have the shoes down to the lowest setting and the drum won't fit. The e-brake cable is removed. Any ideas?
I used aftermarket parts not genuine Ford, but that shouldn't make that big a difference should it?
George

 

first, compare the old parts with the new, to make sure they are the right size.

second, make sure the brake shoes are in the proper spots and that the star wheel adjuster is as short or shorter than the original one you took out and that it also is in the right spot on both shoes.

If it still doesn't fit, go to images.google.com and search for your specific model truck rear parking brakes or even search this forum and you should be able to find some good pics of how it should look when installed correctly.

 

Thanks for the tips davester250. I am ashamed to admit, but I had the parking brake lever up-side down. It allowed everything to go back together, but it held the shoes off enough to prevent the drum from going back on. Is my face red. yup

 

This might be too late but:

-you should buy new parking brake hardware [springs, sometimes there's a cable in there], generally about $20 or so when you replace brake shoes. not quite as important for newer vehicles that have rear disc brakes, and the drums are only used for the parking brake...
-before putting on the drum, measure the inside of the drum and adjust the star wheel so the shoes are just a little under that amount, you have to adjust the star wheel through that little slot less..
-remember which way the star wheel is supposed to rotate to spread the shoes. go the wrong way, you can possibly wedge it in the collapsed position or damage the part that is supposed to hold the star wheel in position and only rotate one way.