Dragging drums
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Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
So I just had my drums apart last week and drove it for around a week, all was good however I noticed that today my left rear brake drum was red hot, seems to be dragging.
now I adjusted it back and the same thing happened again, so reason I had the drums off last week was that I had the wrong handbrake cable on the rear right shoe, I just noticed it when I was doing an inspection, basically the cable was stretched or for a 10 inch drum.
I am not sure what is up with the rear left though, as the rear right is not showing the same symptoms, could it be a proportioning Valve failing or something else?
now I adjusted it back and the same thing happened again, so reason I had the drums off last week was that I had the wrong handbrake cable on the rear right shoe, I just noticed it when I was doing an inspection, basically the cable was stretched or for a 10 inch drum.
I am not sure what is up with the rear left though, as the rear right is not showing the same symptoms, could it be a proportioning Valve failing or something else?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 278
From: Santa Clarita California
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I would remove the drum and check to make sure the shoes are returning all the way and with the drum removed you can readjust the brakes .
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 279
From: United Kingdom
Year: 1995 RHD
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
First thing is to make sure that everything is in there correctly and sat in place.
You can try removing the drum and getting 2 pry bars at the 3 & 9 o'clock positions and get someone to gently press the brake pedal, taking care not to damage your brake shoes. The pry bars are mostly just to stop one side pushing all the way out before the other side starts moving.
Make sure that both sides of the brake cylinder push out nicely and return back to the resting position with no assistance from you. If they seem stiff or don't return, you've likely got a bad cylinder. Also do a visual inspection of your hard brake line and rear flexi line for any damage or bulging. Although less likely to affect only one side, a collapsing rear flexi could be stopping brake fluid returning to the master properly. You can also check this theory out by loosening the bleed nipple when the cylinder is stuck out and if it pushed fluid out and returns, it shows a restriction.
You can try removing the drum and getting 2 pry bars at the 3 & 9 o'clock positions and get someone to gently press the brake pedal, taking care not to damage your brake shoes. The pry bars are mostly just to stop one side pushing all the way out before the other side starts moving.
Make sure that both sides of the brake cylinder push out nicely and return back to the resting position with no assistance from you. If they seem stiff or don't return, you've likely got a bad cylinder. Also do a visual inspection of your hard brake line and rear flexi line for any damage or bulging. Although less likely to affect only one side, a collapsing rear flexi could be stopping brake fluid returning to the master properly. You can also check this theory out by loosening the bleed nipple when the cylinder is stuck out and if it pushed fluid out and returns, it shows a restriction.
Thread Starter
Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I actually found i put the bar that sits between the two shoes in the center with the spring incorrectly and upside down, once i put that back to normal the brakes seem to not be stuck on while driving however they still seem to come very slowly back once i take off, i can hear a whoop whoop if i try turn after braking, ill give the brake cylinder trick a try though, but im starting to think it could just be something simple as a bleed.
Also i am certain they are not dragging while driving now as i am getting around 11L per 100km and i have been taking temp measuring of the drums, they seem to be around 50-80c lately. When the bar was incorrectly in i was getting around 130c on the one side
Also i am certain they are not dragging while driving now as i am getting around 11L per 100km and i have been taking temp measuring of the drums, they seem to be around 50-80c lately. When the bar was incorrectly in i was getting around 130c on the one side
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