Spend the 20.00 bucks and buy a manual like fantic238 said. It will do wonders for you.

 

http://4x4xplor.com/drum-brakes.html

That should give you a good idea on what to do!

HTH

 

hate to resurrect an old thread but it beats starting a "use the search function" thread.

I've replaced my entire rear brakes except the callipers (they work fine)

I took the e-brake loose. adjusted the shoes until there was a slight drag then backed it off a little. Started tightening the e-brake and I am almost at the end without any e-brakes still. Got a rejection sticker for it -_-. When I first purchased the jeep someone had tied a bit of string to pull the cables in. I, thinking it was a ghetto fix, promptly removed it and have not had parking brakes since.

Any ideas?

Also, sort of related, when I did the rear brakes I also did the front. Now, a year later, the front passenger rotor has two groves on the inside of the rotor. Could this be caused by drag from the callipers or is it more likely I missed this when doing the front brakes (I did not have the rotors turned but replaced everything else)?

 

I like this idea

 

any ideas on my post above?

 

Identify your vehicle.

 

brake cables will strech after long usage

 

Cherokees are notorious for having the front right caliper stick. I highly doubt you missed it when you did the brakes the slide on the knuckle where the pads slide in and out gets dirty or rusty or just plain jacked and the caliper will stick.
I have had this happen too me multiple times and happen to friends rigs multiple times. I have had it stick so bad it caught on fire at highway speeds and I had to pull over and put it out with a fire extinguisher.
Fix: Clean those slides super well and if its grooved or bumpy you need a new knuckle, and grease the hell out of them with that brake pad grease.