It’s my first time installing shoes, and I believe I installed the shoes wrong. Is the longer shoe supposed to go towards the front, or rear of the wheel? I’m getting mixed answers online. I have a 1996 RAM 2500. Thank you.

This is the passenger side wheel.

 

Smaller shoe goes to the front, as it is 'self energizing' when you step on the brake. (the drum actually pulls the shoe harder into the drum when you apply the brakes.)

 

Awesome! Thank you so much. This applies to both sides, correct?

 

Indeed it does.

 

Thank you again! How does the self adjuster work, by going in reverse, and stepping on the brakes, or parking brake?

 

Reverse, but make a complete stop!

 

“complete stop” as in press on the brakes all the way like a slam?

 

Nope, firm, but, not a panic stop. And come to a complete stop, truck no rolling at all.

You want to adjust them up initially, so the shoes are just barely touching the drums, then back up and stop a couple times, forward and stop a couple times, then check the adjustment again. Rear brakes have a BIG effect on pedal height. If they are loose, gotta push the pedal a long way before you start getting any braking action, and that can be far to exciting.