My buddy and I tried adjusting my rears, since they've never been done, and my brakes have play in them, even after working on them. We couldn't adjust the brakes due to the adjuster:

I found them on RockAuto for like $3, so I'm going to pick a pair up. I was wondering if you guys think that'll fix my issue. When I brake, the pedal goes down quite a ways. And we did my buddy's brakes and made them a whole lot better. We think my fronts are doing all/most of the work.

 

Adjusters will seize up (stiffen up), even when coated with antiseize (antiseize them anyways!) You'll need to pull the adujusters, free them up, clean and lube them, do it couple times per year and your brakes will work and last well.

 

You may need to pull your drums and clean after wheelin.
My rears work poorly after soupy mud baths, wouldn't believe how much mud gets in there.

 

Is it worth it to just buy new ones? I mean they are only $3? Anything else I should replace to make them work? Also, with my rears not being adjusted properly, would that make my brakes have play in them? It kind of feels like only my fronts are working.

 

When we were bleeding the fronts, when I would hold the pedal down, and it would release, it would barely move a little bit when it would hit the floor. Any ideas?

 

how are your rear brakes have you ever done them? you may want to put the drum and inspect the hardware in there...

 

I have never done them in the year and a half I've owned the XJ. Should I just replace essentially everything in there, or just a few key things?

 

when i replaced mine most of the hardware inside the drum turned to dust from rust... when i touched it.. you would be suprised what you might find in there... if you plan on keeping your xj... I personally would do everything... they make a hardware kit.. that comes with everthing inside the drum but no shoes for i think 30 bucks... it made the difference in my brakes

 

Oh really? I'll do the kit then! That sounds great.

 

Haha, just go all out with a disk conversion! Jk.. It looks like you've got the right idea.

 

I was thinking about that when talking to my buddy. But he and I have 0 knowledge of the disk conversion. lol

So the rebuild kit should fix the play/issue with the brake pedal?

 

When I replaced my front disc pads, I removed both rear drums and adjusted the star wheel until I could just get the drum back on. Made a huge difference in the brake pedal feel. Used to push the brake pedal a long way, now a firm pedal at the top.

The combination of new pads and adjusted shoes made for excellent braking.

 

Sounds exactly like my issue. Is that star thing the thing I posted a picture of in the first post? My pads look pretty good for now, so I think they're OK. But that star thing is seized shut.

 

Yes this:


Either get it turning with penetrating oil or get new adjusters. The thing with the "L" is the automatic adjusters. supposed to work when you back up. Every brake post on this forum says it doesn't work, mine didn't.

 

What that picture is not showing is the self-adjusting cable....it has a spring end on it that attaches to the part marked L in the picture. If the "star thing" is clean and turns easy and the cable is in place, the self-adjusting brakes should work just fine. The cables are about 4-5 bucks each at NAPA.
Also, there should be a rubber plug right behind the "star thing".....this is where you place a brake adjusting tool, commonly known as a big flatblade screwdriver, in and turn the "star thing" while someone turns your wheel. Tighten it until it stops the wheel and then back off just a little bit.
Your shoes will then be adjusted and the self-adjusting system should work as the shoes wear down.