First off I would just like to say I'm new to the site with a "new to me" 97 Cherokee.

After purchasing my Jeep recently, I decided to do a complete brake job because the previous set couldn't stop a motorcycle driving down the road.

I have replace almost everything: new rotors, new pads, 1 new caliper(piston was locked), new drums, new shoes, new drum parts kit, and new brake wheel cylinders. This is my first drum install so it has taken me quite awhile with trial and error as I installed the shoes backwards the first go around.

Long story short everything is in the correct position, adjuster cables are ran through the guides right, the guide is properly seated, parking brake strut is in the right location, etc.

My problem is on one side the drum will not fight over the shoes without the help of a bfh. Once I have drum on there is no movement, everything is stuck. The adjuster screw is tightened all the way in as well. I do notice the parking brake is really tight now, so I'm wondering if that could be the culprit or is it something else I need to check on?

 

Something is either installed incorrectly, or you have the wrong drum. My money would be on the install.

The parking brake would be tight because of whatever is causing your issue. If there's no room for the brake shoes to move, then there's no movement in the ebrake handle.

If the one side is working correctly, then I would take both drums off and compare the two sides. I bet you'll find something wrong with the side giving you a problem.

Take some detailed pics of the properly working side and compare them to the problem side.

 

Did you originally have 10" drums (they are finned)?

 

Loosen adjuster on cable until theres slack. You got one small shoe and one big shoe on each side ?

 

I'll take some measurements of the drum just to make sure. I will go over everything again but i've torn it completely down twice just to make sure.

Nope 9"

I'm assuming you are referring to the ebrake cable, correct?

Yes, both sides have big shoe facing the rear and small shoe facing forward

 

are you re using old drums.... do they have a lip?

 

I'm using new drums. I even attempted to put the old drum on, but it is just as tight. Has to be something in my adjustment

 

i'd say so then....

 

You did have the new drums deglazed and trued didn't you before installing them?

 

On the backside of the backing plate, towards the axle there is a little window that should have a rubber plug in it. Pull the plug you now have access to the adjuster "screw" you will have to move the ratcheting part of the adjuster to bring the new pads back out from the drums. Your new shoes are thicker than the old ones and the adjuster has tightened over time.

, skip to about the two minute mark to see the adjuster.

 

Unfortunately I did not. Again, I've never installed drum brakes before but all of the Tech Articles I have been reviewing have said nothing about this. I'm guessing this could be an issue.


The adjuster screw is turned all the way in, but still will not fit.

 

new rotors and drums should never need turning, if they do, return them and buy better stuff

 

make sure your E-brake cables are not seized, they might not be fully retracted and your shoes may not be making full contact at the top pivot point. doesn't take much and drums wont fit.

 

The top of each shoe has a 1/2 round that fits on the anchor pin on the backing plate. The bottom's fit on the adjuster. If the shoes are "home", on those top and bottom and the drum won't fit, gotta wonder if you don't have some wrong parts.

The top can't move left/right due to the pin, but to bottom "floats". Are there any gruves in the backing plate preventing a shoe from moving? Sounds like you are sure the adjuster is definitely all the way in...

And X2^, You don't turn new drums, (or rotors).

 

Yeah, I've seen a huge debate on this before but I wouldn't see why a manufacturer would sell parts that needed to be repair out of the box.

Would this be checked at the brake cable adjuster?

The tops look to be at "home" with comparing the two sides. As one side the drum does fit.

Yes the bottom is able to float and the top is fixed on the pin. I have checked the adjuster 20 times and it is all the way in.