Hey guys, I'm going to change the rear drum brakes today , any words of wisdom that could make life easier before I go in? Its been years since I have done a drum brake job, since my other cars have had disc brakes.
shaner

 

They are the same as you prolly remember them. Not much has changed on the drum brakes in the last 75 years or so.

 

Join the club haven't done a drum brake job since I had my nova...My camaro was converted to disc brakes and every car after that were disc al the way around until now with my Jeep..I need to do my rear drubs but I am thinking I will just do a ZJ disc brake conversion instead,...

 

They are easy I did mine about 2 months ago. Shell out the extra 5 bucks for new springs and stuff there is a kit for them. New wheel cylinders are also pretty cheap if you want to replace them. Buy ya a can of brake clean also. If you don't have a chiltons or a haynes pick one up along with the brake drum tool. Makes it a piece of cake to do. 30 min Max on each side.

 

Just did mine last weekend and definitely get the spring kit as XJ Stryker suggested. I got mine for 5.99 @ A Z and 25% off the bill for getting the kit so I saved $9...good deal...Tj

 

If you have the time you should pull the drum off before you hit the auto parts store. I had to go back twice, once for cylinders and again when i found out the PO had but on d35 pads and wore down the inside of the drums pretty bad.

 

Jack the Jeep and pull both wheels and drums, but only one side of brakes. Use the other side for reference. Replace all the hardware,its cheap and good insurance.

 

And try not to disconnect the parking brake lever from the cable. It is a pain to get back on.

 

Thanks guys for the support, The Job went pretty good, I was slow, but hey i got it done~~~!!

 

HOW do you get teh $%&! drum off?!? I could not get it off. Was trying to bleed the brakes today. Can you even bleed the brakes on drums?

 

Sledge hammer will get the drums off. Just tap the bottom of the drum till it comes loose.

And yes, you can bleed the brakes, but you don't need to remove the drums to bleed them. The nipple is on the inside of the drum, behind your wheel.

 

you have to have your e-brake OFF when you take em off. i learned that the hard way when i spray painted the back ones on my civic. I have never done a drum brake job... need to learn soon though.

 

You want the drum off? BIG HAMMER. The shoes wear fine inside the drum, but they don't hit the end edge, which ends up being a rust ring. Big hammer, and tap & pull as you go all the way around. Like what was mentioned, get the spring kit for them, it will save ya in the long run.

Other than that, the bleeders face the center of the axle (behind the backing plate) You shouldn't have to bleed anything unless the cylinders are toast.

 

If you are having problems with the drum you can adjust the brake screw back in. There is access on the backing plate stick a screw driver in there to move the hold down and then another to spin the gear. They will loosen right up. Or Big fricken hammer as already suggested.

Definitley make sure the E-brake is off lol.

 

For those contemplating a disc swap,
IF you have an 8.25 rear end check out the libby disc brake swap in the write up section here. It's 100% bolt on with no fab work (might take the fun out of it for some) As soon as I find a wrecked libby I'll be doing that.
Link for the technologically challenged https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/liberty-kj-rear-disc-brakes-cherokee-xj-8-25-conversion-7695/