Hard to change 1999 Ford Ranger 4X4 ball joints and rear drum brakes?

I have replaced numerous engine parts, tires, and disc brake parts but have never tried drum brakes. Are they about the same or should I just let a shop do it?
Hard to change 1999 Ford Ranger 4X4 ball joints and rear drum brakes?
rear drum brakes are pretty simple ! The ebrake cable is also not too bad ! go get a book on the truck or you can go to www.alldatadiy.com and get a subscription for your truck for about the same cost of the book and print out whatever you need to do the job! Now when it comes to ball joints they aren't bad to get out there is usually a retaining clip that holds them in and you can usually hit them out with a hammer if you just hit on the ball joint!! also you could go to harbor freight if you have one near you and buy a ball joint tool for about 29.99 and it is basically just a press to get them out!! auto parts stores (some of them rent the ball joint tool and when you bring the tool back you get your money back!! If you don't want to get Into the ball joint job I would call around to other shops because the average price for all 4 joints is about 800.00 !! I'm a service manager (used to be the master mechanic for the shop until I got hurt) at Firestone and that is their going price !! if you need more help or info let me know!! Jason
Hard to change 1999 Ford Ranger 4X4 ball joints and rear drum brakes?
Brakes are not hard if you have a repair manual and some mechanical experience. But ball joints require special tools, best left to a professional mechanic.
q-1, if you drive off-road, the ball joints might be loose, are

your front tires showing poor wear pattern? if so, get under the front ( don't jack the vehicle ) with a flat bar or big screwdriver and see for yourself. go to your local auto parts store with your VIN # and price the new joints and tool

( pickle-fork ) to remove the old ones. ask the guy at the parts place how to use it, and how to install the new ones, if they aren't helpful go to another parts store. also,after you get all the info, BUY A BOOK and read everything on ball joints and procedures,before you start. always do one at a time,after the first joint is removed, count the threads so you'll be able to get the parts together and still drive it to the WHEEL ALLIGNMENT SHOP. after any ball joint work you MUST get the allignment and inspection done!



Q-2 rear drum brakes can be more complex than just changing shoes and getting drums turned. first, without taking anything apart, DON'T JACK THE VEHICLE, take a bright flashlight and a rag and crawl under the back of the rear wheels and look for leaks coming from the back of the wheel center, there might be fluid streaks on the inside of the tire or the wheel, radiating out toward the treads. also look for damage to any brake hoses or brake hose mounting brackets. IF ANTHING IS BENT OR LEAKING ON ETHER SIDE-TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. IF EVERYTHING LOOKS SECURE, go back to the helpful auto parts store and see if they turn drums and possibly fit new shoes. talk to the guys about prices and parts avail. read the book carefully and then you'll know what to do. remember: after you pull the wheel and remove the drum, with a 2 in. throwaway paint brush, clean as much debris from around the brakes and from all the parts you can see. then before anything is removed, take three photographs of the brakes fm. rear, middle and 45 degrees from front, make sure you use plenty of light and get in close enough to really see all the parts. IF YOU SEE ANY OIL LEAKS FROM ANYPLACE-TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP! . follow the book and talk to your friendly autoparts person.