1996 Cherokee Country. Noticed the other day my brake fluid was low. Topped it off, came outside later to discover a puddle of brake fluid under my rear passenger tire. All other tires were dry, no leaks. Doesn't seem to be leaking at any point on the line. What things should I check first? What's most common?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Leaky line or ruptured wheel cylinder. You'll have to pull the tire and drum to check the latter.

 

That just happened to me. It was the wheel cylinder. I replaced the wheel cylinder and shoes on both sides took like 2 hours

 

Wheel cylinder! You will have to replace it and the rear shoes it is a good idea to replace both sides too

 

There are some really good write ups if you google it it's pretty simple

 

This is the best time to just do the Zj disc swap you would spend about the same if you get it used

 

I've read a bit about that. How complicated/expensive is it?

 

It's easy and I got everything I needed for less than $100.00 at pick and pull here where I live.

 

Is it just a bolt-on replacement, or is there some fabrication involved?

 

For a d35 it is, for the Chy 8.25 you have to shave a 1/8 inch out of the backing plates to fit on the axle tube, there is a bunch of Wright ups on the zj disc swap mod.

 

You can also do a swap with Jeep Liberty or commander rear discs possibly other new jeeps too as they also have 8.25 rear axles. Bolt in replacement

 

Or pay 30 bucks for the wheel cylinder lol.

 

Yeah given that this is just my daily driver, I don't think it'll be worth the effort to do a swap. Thanks for all the help y'all. I'll check back in after I replace the cylinders.

 

they only cost me 10

shouldn't be any more than 15-20 tops.
then you need new shoes, that's another 30.
then you need to bleed the lines.

not hard, as long as you don't break a line trying to remove it from the old wheel cylinder. but if you do, it's only a short line from the distribution block on top of the axle tube. you can just bend it with your hands if you're gentle.

 

Lol i ment for both sides but yeah. And I broke the brake line too and had to bend a new one and all that. I was really surprised the had everything in stock at the parts store.