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Oddly Weak Brakes

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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:08 PM
  #1  
goalpost95's Avatar
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From: Lancaster, PA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
Default Oddly Weak Brakes

Ok so to start I have a 1990 cherokee 4.0 I6 with a 3 inch lift and size 30 tires.

My brakes seem really weak i have to put the pedal to the floor to get the vehicle to stop so initial thoughts were bleed the brakes so I did that and no air. Then I replaced the master cylinder and replaced the fluid bled again and still have mushy brakes.

Anyone else have this problem or can help me out with some suggestions?
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:10 PM
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From: Highlands Ranch Co.
Year: 1985 shell
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1996 6 cylinder Briggs & Stratton
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Adjust your drum brakes manually.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:31 PM
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mushy means air. try to drip bleed them. it takes time and a lot of brake fluid but i think its the most effective way to get all the air out.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:31 PM
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Year: 1990
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would you suggest getting new self adjusting drum kits, and drum all-in-one kits? probably new shoes as well?
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 08:15 PM
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From: B-town sc
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
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Originally Posted by dweezer
mushy means air. try to drip bleed them. it takes time and a lot of brake fluid but i think its the most effective way to get all the air out.
what is drip bleeding. i have an 89 with this same problem.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 08:55 PM
  #6  
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From: corpus christi, texas
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
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My 87 has the same problem and has for two months, since I bought it.

Here is what I have replaced:
Master cylinder
Rear wheel cylinders
Rear hard lines
Rear flex line
3 big bottles of fluid to get air out

My shoes and drums are within spec and the fronts work fine. Put your on jackstands and I bet your rears aren't working because you have the same problem I have
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 09:03 PM
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From: Loomis,California
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 242 inline six
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my brakes were mushy on my 87.When I did my lift inspected the brakes they were fine.I upgraded my brake lines,and the mushy feeling went away.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Bluemax
what is drip bleeding. i have an 89 with this same problem.
pump up break system as best you can. open the master cylinder, loosen the bleeder screw and let it drip. make sure the master stays more than half full. this takes time. if there is a lot of air in the lines and system then you could spend half hour doing this.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 10:51 PM
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From: Parrish
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0
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You coud have it pressure bled by a mechanic. Most of your braking power comes from the front so you could also change your front calipers. Just a thought.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 10:54 PM
  #10  
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Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
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yup, could be the front caliper sliders.
take the calipers off the rotors, and remove the sliders that the bolts go through and grease them up.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 11:06 PM
  #11  
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From: Fernley, NV
Year: 1987
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Originally Posted by radio flyer
Adjust your drum brakes manually.


How do you do this?
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 11:35 PM
  #12  
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From: san diego
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2002 WJ 4.0
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you could swap out the single diaphragm brake booster for a newer dual-diaphragm booster. i got one from a 2000 cherokee and put it in my 89. what a difference. it went from barely adequate to lock the wheels up whenever i want. i also have zj rear discs and SS braided lines. i have wj front discs to go on soon.

zedpapa
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Old Apr 9, 2010 | 01:12 AM
  #13  
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From: Lancaster, PA
Year: 1990
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Originally Posted by zedpapa
you could swap out the single diaphragm brake booster for a newer dual-diaphragm booster. i got one from a 2000 cherokee and put it in my 89. what a difference. it went from barely adequate to lock the wheels up whenever i want. i also have zj rear discs and SS braided lines. i have wj front discs to go on soon.

zedpapa
was the dual diaphragm a bolt on or was modification required? I heard 96 xj's were but anything other than that required various mods.
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Old Apr 9, 2010 | 08:38 AM
  #14  
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From: san diego
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2002 WJ 4.0
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check this link, it explains everything.

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/bra...kes03/booster/

they used a wj booster/master but you do the same mods to the xj booster/master.

zedpapa
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Old Apr 9, 2010 | 08:41 AM
  #15  
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From: san diego
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2002 WJ 4.0
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also the xj booster does not require a spacer or need any sheet metal bent to fit.

zedpapa
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