Brakes are acting up
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: hollywood florida.
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 litre
K so this usually happens after some mudding. But when I hit the road afterwards the brakes act weird. Its usually when I'm coming to a stop. I'll hit the brakes and it'll slow down then I'll go further down on the pedal just a bit then the brakes lock up and the jeep halts to a stop. Kinda scary to be driving it like that. Already replaced one caliper on account it locked up already once before... Any comments, tips, help?
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From: Eh infusion
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The legendary inline 6, haven't done anything here yet
Do you have drum breaks by any chance? What happens is they get mud in them and then they don't work right! Check out the zj rear disk conversion write up, super easy and well worth it so your drums don't get all bogged up with mud and I never replace both calipers, that's a line of bull lol I mean they don't cost that much but still there isn't a point. spend that 35 bucks on something else for you jeep lol!
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Las Vegas
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Do you have drum breaks by any chance? What happens is they get mud in them and then they don't work right! Check out the zj rear disk conversion write up, super easy and well worth it so your drums don't get all bogged up with mud and I never replace both calipers, that's a line of bull lol I mean they don't cost that much but still there isn't a point. spend that 35 bucks on something else for you jeep lol!
Just did mine, super easy once you get all the parts.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/pr...6/#post1637208
Don't know much about drum brakes but if the front is lockup, you might just need to greased up the calipers bolts and make sure the pads are not seized to the bracket.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: hollywood florida.
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 litre
so is it my drum brakes that are suddenly seizing up or locking up on me? cuz it always goes away after some driving. i just cant tell what brakes are grabbing like that. and the rear disc swap isnt so easy for me cuz i got the dana 35 =[ i know most swaps are for the 8.25 or d30. i plan on doing an axle swap soon though. ford 8.8? but in the mean time i just need to know whats going on with my brakes. is mud in the drums bad? and it doesnt feel like a lack of friction on the drum itself from mud. it feels more mechanical. like it'll suddenly grab.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Eh infusion
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The legendary inline 6, haven't done anything here yet
Originally Posted by iron horse
so is it my drum brakes that are suddenly seizing up or locking up on me? cuz it always goes away after some driving. i just cant tell what brakes are grabbing like that. and the rear disc swap isnt so easy for me cuz i got the dana 35 =[ i know most swaps are for the 8.25 or d30. i plan on doing an axle swap soon though. ford 8.8? but in the mean time i just need to know whats going on with my brakes. is mud in the drums bad? and it doesnt feel like a lack of friction on the drum itself from mud. it feels more mechanical. like it'll suddenly grab.
Last edited by CherokeeChick; Apr 20, 2012 at 08:21 PM.
CF Veteran

Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Eh infusion
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The legendary inline 6, haven't done anything here yet
Check your front breaks too but make sure you have another ride on stand by just incase your calipers are ceased.. You wanna make sure the sliders slide back and forth easily and that the piston in the middle actually goes in.. I think it sounds more like a front break thing but I would just check everything
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: hollywood florida.
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 litre
well brakes are back to normal now. im guessing its the drums brakes. just getting the cylinder thing on top stuck or something. do i check to see if the cylinder thing can move with the shoes off or on?
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From: Nazareth/Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 242ci I6
It could also be because the brakes got wet. Anyone ever think of that? Drum brakes get very sensitive when wet. My jeep will stop on a dime if I'm going under about 15mph. Same think with my dirtbike. I can lock up the brakes without even trying if it's a little wet out. I always wondered what makes them so sensitive when wet.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Eh infusion
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The legendary inline 6, haven't done anything here yet
Originally Posted by iron horse
well brakes are back to normal now. im guessing its the drums brakes. just getting the cylinder thing on top stuck or something. do i check to see if the cylinder thing can move with the shoes off or on?
CF Veteran

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 8,998
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From: Eh infusion
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The legendary inline 6, haven't done anything here yet
Do you know how to adjust the breaks? It's hard to explain you just gotta have a feel for it lol maybe someone else could explain but I just know by feel...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: hollywood florida.
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 litre
its been raining a lot here in sfl so soon ill post pics and you mean adjusting the star wheel? is that on the bottom? and i checked the thing on top. that didnt move. and im pretty sure thats what pushes the shoes out onto the drum. and it has nothing to do with the drums being wet. they'll act up days after mudding



I'm just too cheap for new rotors