Without disassembling the rear brakes, how does one determine what size they have? I'd like to do the rear brakes on my 99 XJ with 8.25 rear....

 

- Remove rear wheel.
- Remove rear drum.
- Measure inside diameter of drum (a tape measure is fine for this.)
- Measure the width of the friction material on a brake shoe.
- Note both measurements.
- Reinstall rear brake drum
- Reinstall rear wheel.
- Go buy parts and do job.

You won't have to disassemble "everything" to do that - but direct measurement is best. Alternatively, buy both sets and return the set you don't use (some parts houses don't have a big problem with that, I've had to do it before. I don't like to do it - because I've been on the other side of the counter - but I've been in situations where I have two or three options and I can't determine which one I need beforehand...

Chances are you're either looking at a 9" diameter drum or a 10" diameter drum - I don't think 11" drums made it on the XJ.

 

if its ribbed its the 10inch drums if its not ribbed its the 9inch drums i believe.

 

id bet my truck there 9" have never seen 10" on anything but the dana 35