How do you tell if I have 9 or 10 inch brakes on my Ford Ranger?
When it comes to maintaining your Ford Ranger, understanding the specifications of your vehicle is crucial. One common question among Ranger owners is how to determine whether their truck is equipped with 9-inch or 10-inch brakes. This distinction is important for brake maintenance and replacement, as the size of the brakes affects the parts you’ll need. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to identify your brake size with ease.
Why Knowing Your Brake Size Matters
The size of your brakes directly impacts your vehicle's stopping power and compatibility with replacement parts. Using the wrong size brake components can lead to reduced performance, safety issues, and unnecessary expenses. By identifying your brake size correctly, you ensure that your Ford Ranger operates safely and efficiently.
Steps to Determine Your Brake Size
Follow these steps to figure out whether your Ford Ranger has 9-inch or 10-inch brakes:
- Check Your Vehicle Manual: The easiest way to determine your brake size is by consulting your Ford Ranger’s owner’s manual. It often includes detailed specifications for your vehicle, including brake size.
- Inspect the Brake Drum: If you’re comfortable working on your vehicle, you can remove the wheel and measure the brake drum directly. Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the diameter of the drum. A 9-inch brake drum will measure approximately 9 inches across, while a 10-inch drum will measure closer to 10 inches.
- Look for a Label or Sticker: Some Ford Rangers have a label or sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb or under the hood that lists brake specifications. Check these areas for any information about brake size.
- Contact a Professional Mechanic: If you’re unsure or don’t have the tools to measure the brakes yourself, a trusted mechanic can quickly identify the brake size for you. At Kevin’s Autos, we specialize in brake inspections and can help you determine the correct size for your Ford Ranger.
- Use Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Your VIN can provide detailed information about your vehicle’s specifications. You can decode your VIN online or contact a Ford dealership for assistance.
Tips for Accurate Measurement
When measuring your brake drum, keep these tips in mind to ensure accuracy:
- Always measure the diameter of the drum, not the circumference.
- Ensure the drum is clean and free of debris before measuring.
- If you’re unsure about your measurement, double-check with a professional mechanic.
When to Replace Your Brakes
Regardless of whether you have 9-inch or 10-inch brakes, regular maintenance is key to keeping your Ford Ranger safe on the road. Signs that it’s time to replace your brakes include:
- Squealing or grinding noises when braking.
- A spongy or unresponsive brake pedal.
- Vibrations or pulling to one side when braking.
- Visible wear on the brake pads or drums.
Conclusion
Identifying whether your Ford Ranger has 9-inch or 10-inch brakes is a straightforward process that can save you time and money in the long run. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your vehicle is equipped with the correct parts for optimal performance. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional mechanic. At Kevin’s Autos, we’re here to help with all your brake maintenance and repair needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my truck have disc or drum brakes?
How to tell whether your brakes are drum or disc. To double-check, look through one of the holes in the top of your front wheel. If you see a shiny smooth metal surface, that is your disc rotor. However, if you see a rusty and not smooth round surface, that's your brake drum.
How do I know my brake size?
The size is typically stamped or engraved on the rotor's edge, making it visible without removing the wheel. Or simply get the improper measurement tool, and measure outside diameter and thickness. Those 2 dimensions will tell you what parts you need.
How do I know what size brake chamber I have?
Brake chamber size can be determined by measuring the diameter of the clamp used to hold it together or by locating the size markings on the brake chamber. The most common brake chamber size is 30. However, there are vehicles using both smaller and larger sizes.
Do I have brake pads or drums?
You'll know if your vehicle uses brake pads or brake shoes depending on how this part of your vehicle looks. If it looks like the picture on the left and you see a shiny disc, then your vehicle uses brake pads. If you see a drum brake, then your vehicle uses brake shoes.
What does the diameter stamped on the brake drum refer to?
The maximum diameter or discard diameter is the maximum diameter to which the brake drum may be turned or worn, and still be usable. If any portion of the brake surface exceeds the maximum diameter it must be discarded.
How do you tell what size brake shoes you have?
The distance across the drum determines it's size (9, 10, 11 inch etc,) The width of the brake shoe lining material determines the shoes width. The machined part of the brake drum has to be at least that deep or deeper for those shoes to work with that drum.
How do you tell what size your drums are?
Drum sizes are read by stating the depth compared to the diameter. For example, a drum with a depth of 8” and a diameter of 14” will be referred to as an 8” x 14” drum. However, those numbers can be read in a reverse way as well.
How to measure brake drum sizes?
By measuring from the center of one bolt hole to the center of the bolt hole directly opposite. Also we'll need the diameter of the bolt hole. Finally count the number of bolt holes.
How to tell if a Ranger has 9 or 10 inch drums?
Drum size can be identified visually by whether the drums have cooling fins on the outside or not. 9 Inch drums have cooling fins all the way around the outside. 10 inch drums do not have fins.
How to tell if rear brakes are disc or drum?
If you can see a shiny metal disc with a calliper, then you have disc brakes. If you see a bowl-shaped, often rust coloured as it is made of iron, object behind the wheel, then you have drum brakes/.
