Me brakes all the sudden felt weak on the '96 XJ today and I get home to find the inside of my left tire coated with something coming from the drum. Looks like it all came out when I was stopped because it's all in one direction. So what am I looking at replacing here...probably the cylinder? Checked the whole brake line system and all the connections are dry, just the fluid coming from the inside of that brake drum.

Other than the shoes which I think are fine, what all should I replace when I'm in there?

I'd like to go OEM considering it's the brakes but since it's the rear and I'm strapped right now I wouldn't mind going with a known good manufacturer.

 

Probably a wheel cylinder, I'd recommend changing the shoes and hardware while your in there. You'll have to tear the one side down completely anyway. Might as well freshen up the rear brakes on both sides.

 

And a couple cans of brake cleaner to clean the drums out.

 

Do ONE SIDE AT A TIME

Its easily possible to put things back together wrong

take photos

bear in mind someone may have put something back *** about before you got there

replace the rear rubber hose if you think its still original

shoes that have been fluid soaked are generally no good

 

This may be obvious and a stupid question to ask, but have you determined it is brake fluid? And not gear oil? I understand those two fluids are vastly different in appearance, feel and smell but I'm just throwing it out there.

 

That was my question...if you blew the wheel cyl you should have lost enough fluid to trip the brake light, but if you lost the axle seal...then its gear oil
When you say weak, do you mean pedal travel got more with no stopping or it was still high and firm but no stopping power

 

I felt the brakes go somewhat soft in the middle of the ride just before I found the leak. Fairly sure because of that it's brake fluid but I'll take a closer look when I get it opened up to make sure. Thanks for the idea.