Hello fellow XJers, I have had a problem when I brake hard or pull the e brake handle when move there is a loud audible clunk and the jeep bucks a little. I have noticed it more with it being colder out. The brakes wortk good and the rear do work and the e brake can hold the Jeep in drive. I have pulled off the drums and they look normal, there is a little uneven wear on the front shoes and very little wear on the rear shoes on both sides.I'm gonna do the rear disc conversion this spring so I would prefer not to have to replace the entire brakes. Thanks.

 

If the front and rear brakes look fine and nothing is loose/broken then it could be a suspension problem or motor/trans mounts going bad. Are your motor mounts and trans mount original?

 

The trans and motor mounts have been replaced in the last couple of months, non of the bolts or leaf springs look damaged/loose. I have noticed it only does it if the I apply the brakes REALLY hard. If I just slightly pull up on the e brake cable till the brakes engage it does it without fail. I also recently lubed the slip yoke.

 

Brakes,e-brake or both?

 

Both, it does it with the brakes only if I smash the petal, e brake it does it if I gently pull up on the handle.

 

I had similar symptoms and it was a bad wheel cylinder, one side was sticking and then releasing causing a loud pop and the jeep would buck. I'd thoroughly check all the brake hardware

 

your idea to do a rear disc brake swap is the answer in the long run... easy swap with good results. I bet it is in the drum brake setup shifting on hard braking. Maybe adjust them real tight and see what happens....

 

When i had similar problems it turned out to be the rear drum brakes. I replaced the pads and hardware and all was fixed.

 

I'm just gonna leave it till i do the disc conversion in the spring. I think it is a sticking cylinder because one time one of the wheels completely locked up when coming to a graceful stop at a red light. The left rear wheel complexity locked. I got some interesting looks from the other divers, lol.

 

brake job