Drum Brakes

Tom's Offroad carries factory-style drum brake components for the 1966–1977 early Bronco including brake drums, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, hardware kits, and adjusters. These parts are used on Broncos that retain the original drum brake setup or on owners restoring to factory specification before a later disc brake conversion.

Rebuilding early Bronco drum brakes involves removing the drum, inspecting the drum surface for scoring, replacing the wheel cylinder if leaking, installing new brake shoes with fresh hardware and springs, and adjusting the self-adjuster mechanism. Measure the drum's inner diameter before reinstalling, drums worn beyond the maximum diameter stamped on the drum face must be replaced.

A front disc brake conversion is one of the most recommended safety upgrades for the early Bronco. Disc brakes provide significantly better stopping power, resist fade on long descents, and perform better in wet conditions than the factory drums. Tom's Offroad carries complete bolt-on disc brake conversion kits for the Dana 30/44 front axle that make the upgrade accessible without custom fabrication.

Drum brake adjustment on the early Bronco is performed through the adjusting slot in the backing plate using a brake spoon or flat screwdriver. Rotate the star adjuster wheel until the brake shoe just drags against the drum, then back off slightly until the wheel spins freely with minimal drag. Adjust all four corners evenly. Properly adjusted drums provide a firm, high pedal and even braking.

Brake pull on an early Bronco drum system is most commonly caused by a leaking wheel cylinder contaminating the brake shoes on one side, worn or glazed shoes on one wheel, a stuck or sluggish drum self-adjuster, or uneven drum wear between sides. Start by inspecting all four wheel cylinders for leaks. Any sign of fluid on the shoes requires replacement of both the wheel cylinder and brake shoes.