brakes locking up easley
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My left side brake have been locking up lately. I was on the way to college yesterday and it was raining. I gentley hit the brakes and my left rear tire locked up. I tried to get it to happen again this time hitting the brakes harder and it wouldnt do it. Well to day I went to the gas station and both front and rear brakes locked up on the left side causing the tires to squawl yet again and it was raining again today. I have had the rear brakes lock up when I had the 215s on it but never had the 31s lock up even under extremely hard braking. I do not have ABS but this has never been an issue before. Whats going on any ideas?
First thing I'd do is remove the drums and look at the condition of the shoes and drums. Right now you/we are flying blind. Pics might help depending on what you find.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
when was last brake inspection done one side of vechicl looking up needs quick attenion
Last edited by freegdr; Aug 23, 2012 at 05:24 PM.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I had new brakes and a new adjuster put on the rear drum on that side and new brakes in the other drum front brakes were fine wen i rotated the tires last month. Is there anything I should be looking for?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 882
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From: MI 48642
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I know very little about drum brakes...but I feel you just told us exactly what is wrong lol. I assume replacing the adjuster on only the side that is the issue would be where to look...if it isn't the same as the side you did not replace, it would explain the one side locking before the other.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
sounds like rears are not adjusted properly as for front one locking they should brake evenly unless one has a bad caliper or line id adjust rears and see if issue stops
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Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,004
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From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I dont know much about drum brakes either lucky me my dad is a certified mechanic
so he replaced the rear brakes last time and just said that he had to break and replace the adjuster. Maybe he adjusted one side more then the other but that doesnt explain why its only that side that locks up. Is there anything besides a bad caliper that would cause this?
so he replaced the rear brakes last time and just said that he had to break and replace the adjuster. Maybe he adjusted one side more then the other but that doesnt explain why its only that side that locks up. Is there anything besides a bad caliper that would cause this?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,671
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From: LI, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, bolt ons for days...
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,825
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From: Indianapolis
Year: '99 and '91
Model: Cherokee
Originally Posted by Slim357
Is it possible to put abs on my jeep even though it didnt come with it? If so what would I need to be able to do it?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ya I got it to lock up today like the third time I tried the finally did lock up but this time I had to try to lock em up. I hit the brakes as if I had to slow down quickly instead of how I was the other day. Not to mention this time only the left front locked up and yes it was raining again to day. Im starting to think the master cylinder may be at fault to some extent
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Ya I got it to lock up today like the third time I tried the finally did lock up but this time I had to try to lock em up. I hit the brakes as if I had to slow down quickly instead of how I was the other day. Not to mention this time only the left front locked up and yes it was raining again to day. Im starting to think the master cylinder may be at fault to some extent
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
Year: '99 and '91
Model: Cherokee
Originally Posted by freegdr
talk to dad master just does front and rear does not regulate left and right brakes
Its possible.
With those odd problems OP is having. I'd go the route of lowest mileage booster master cylinder, hell take the prop valve too, from the junkyard you can find. And if you haven't go the route of a complete overhaul of the brake system.
New rotors if yours are thin and or rusty flaky and grooved. If they're not too bad get em turned. If you want to save a few dollars get some decent looking ones from the jy and have them turned. I would suggest new pads, calipers, and hoses for the front. If the hard lines are too rotted. Replace em, probably won't have to do that.
On the rear, same thing. If your drums are grooved rotted flaky, get new or get turned jy ones. If they're decent turn. New brake shoes, wheel cylinders and NEW hardware all of it.
Or if you want you could do the zj disc brake swap. Worth it IMO super easy and won't have to deal with drums again. And cost just about the same after buying all the stupid hardware for drums.
I say a complete overhaul because brakes are important!!! I've had BAD brake problems on a truck before and its not fun when something fails at the wrong time. Also chasing down brake problems only to have one thing at a time fail only to eventually install every component anyways all the long burning pads and rotors and having bad brakes anyways sucks. Been there too!
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
Year: '99 and '91
Model: Cherokee
Originally Posted by freegdr
talk to dad master just does front and rear does not regulate left and right brakes
Check the props.


