Hello,

I have a 99 XJ SE with no ABS. I replaced the rotors, pads, and calipers back in 2018 to remedy a squeak. The brakes were bled, everything worked correctly, and the brakes were very strong.

FF to now. First, in the rain my rear brakes (I think) lock with just light pressure and continue to lock until I pump the E brake a few times. When I do that though it feels like the back wheels get heavier. Second, the Jeep pulls to the right sometimes when I brake hard (became more noticeable after I changed the wheel hubs) and now the brakes will not lock at all (even going downhill on loose dirt with full pedal depress). It takes considerable force on the pedal to stop. The only other real symptom is that the pedal feels like it gets to its stopping point but the brakes are barely kicking in. It isn't mushy or overly firm,

I changed the pads and they looked cracked and flaky on the surface but otherwise had plenty of life in them still. The brake fluid is topped up and has never seemed to leak. When I pump the pedal with the Jeep of then hold it and turn it on it releases the normal amount.

I've been scouring threads and can't find anything else with symptoms like mine. My only thought is it could be the calipers I bought from AutoZone.

Thanks!

 

check your flex lines, make sure they're not bulging when you apply pressure. this can happen if your calipers are seized and the harder you press your pedal, the fluid has to go somewhere, so if your flex lines are old, they may bulge up like a balloon.
if it's your booster, a bad booster will make your pedal hard when the vacuum check valve fails, or they can feel spongy, or simply just not work at all.
you might also want to adjust your rear brakes so all the fluid isn't going to them before the front. turn the star nut so they drag, then back it off so they just drag as you spin the wheel by hand. take the drums off and have a good look, maybe the drums are worn down, shoes are worn, or even possibly installed wrong. check for any leaking wheel cylinders. brake fluid can make them lock up it gets on the pad surface.


check your front calipers with someone pressing the brake pedal as your inspecting/spinning the front tire (off the ground, of course).

 

I get that too, in fact I'm quite surprised you've managed 2 years before the rears started locking up.

The first thing to try is the FSM remedy. It seems ridiculous but start up, go into D and release the brakes so you roll forward, apply the brakes to stop. Then into R, rock backwards, brake to a stop. Repeat 10 times in each direction.
Wave at your neighbours and try to persuade them you're not insane.
If your automatic adjusters are still working in the rears, this will stop them grabbing at light pedal pressure. If they're rusted solid (which is likely after 2 years without doing this procedure) it's time to strip the drums down and set them up again.
If the adjuster is only working on one side you'll get uneven braking - so look out for that when you try your first stop from speed.