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Parking brake won't hold properly
Just replaced the hardware kit for the parking brake on the rear brakes of my 1996 XJ. I adjusted the star adjusters pretty far and I also tightened the bolts up closer to the front of the car. It still won't hold. When I put the car in drive with the brake up it idles a bit slower than if the brake is down but not by much. I've tried tightening the bolts further but I don't notice any improvement. Also, the driver's side star adjuster is stuck in place now and I'm not sure why. What should I do? Is there something I am missing? I attached some photos. Thanks in advance, I need this to pass inspection.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...91fdc63473.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...25ed9c910a.jpg Passenger's side brake after I installed the new hardware kit. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...023117d0f0.jpg bolt adjuster https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c5eb5767ef.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...169b83f490.jpg This is the driver's side star adjuster from the back of the backing plate. It won't budge. |
At first inspection, I could not figure out what was wrong with your pictures...your brakes look nothing like the D35 on my 01, nor do they look like I remember on my Chry 8.25 on my old 92. Then it hit me...those are a disc brake rear axle...must have come off a Grand or possibly a modified Ford axle. I hope you took a set of disc brake calipers and rotors to get those pictures. SadlyI have never seen a disc rear so I can't really help
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1ec9f2fd64.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...dcbff62dd5.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f2728f11b0.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e5805ef367.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...aeeef4a22b.jpg |
Yeah, what Bluejeep said. I too was confused for a moment trying to reconcile reading 1996XJ and looking at that axle.
What axle is it? If you're not sure, post a few pics including the differential cover. |
It's inviting to see others were as put off as I was by this...
If its a disc brake swap its not going matter what axle he currently has back there - this would be hinging on the disc brake setup itself. Unless on the other hand someone swapped in a disc d35 from a grand? But who does that?? Or what if its a d35 with an explorer disc setup 😮. This could get confusing... Without any mentioned or acknowlement of the "other than factory setup" in the rear - whos to say maybe you just have the wrong hardware kit? We need more info and potentially pictures. |
I apologize, I realize now I really should've included more context. Basically, (and I'm not 100% sure about this) I believe the previous owner bought and installed this: Teraflex 4354420 Rear Disc Brake Kit for 91-06 Jeep Cherokee XJ, Grand Cherokee ZJ, Wrangler YJ & TJ. I've only had the car for a year and when I first bought it I didn't know that XJs didn't have rear disc brakes.
I only recently found out that it had been converted to disc brakes when I replaced the rotors; I bought ZJ rotors and those fit fine so at that point I had thought the PO had done a zj brake swap, which I had read about as being very common because it improves stopping power and stuff like that. Then, when I went to adjust the parking brake since it was doing absolutely nothing to stop the car the whole star adjuster thing was one big piece of rust and corrosion. So I ordered a hardware kit. I ordered the ZJ hardware kit first. When I took off the rotors and saw that the setup was different from the ZJ and had different top springs (two of them actually) as well as different pin shapes, I thought maybe I had been mistaken and that it was actually a WJ swap. So I ordered WJ parts. THEN, upon even further inspection, I realized that no, WJs do not have two upper springs like the ones on my car, so I did a lot more hunting on the internet, and that's when I found the Teraflex conversion kit. The problem then was that there wasn't any option to buy just the hardware kit for the parking brake without purchasing a whole new $900 disc brake conversion set. So I called Quadratec customer support, the website I had found it on, asking if there was a way I could buy only the hardware. The nice lady there said no. She told me I should reach out to Teraflex directly. So I did. This was the response: "Hey Kate! Those parking brake shoes, clips and springs are from a 1998 Ford Explorer." At first this was confusing but then I googled "1998 ford explorer parking brake hardware kit". And the pictures showed the exact same pieces as the pieces I had already taken off my brakes. So I ordered that and installed it! Problem fixed! Or so I thought. Now one of the star adjusters is stuck and the parking brake still does not hold the car. So much for that safety inspection. Sorry to write a book, but I didn't want to risk leaving anything out. Thanks for all the help! |
Is it possible that I just need new shoes? I'm not sure how thick the pads need to be. If someone could look at the pictures I sent and let me know if they are in good condition or not I would really appreciate it.
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Are the cables rusted up inside and stuck?
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Without any knowledge of whatever system you have...those shoes do not look worn...or even touched by a brake drum.problem for you is that you need to know what system is installed so you can get the correct rotor/and parking brake drum. The shoes ...if worn(doubtful) might be only worn 1/16 inch...the adjusters should properly compensate...if not then something else is amiss. As prev stated...have someone pull on parking brake handle with rotor/ drum off.....make sure shoes extend...then make sure you have correct rear rotor ( difficult with a modified axle)
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The cables were initially what was wrong with it. The lever had been completely stuck down, like I would try and pull it up as hard as I could and it wouldn't budge. That was when I took out the cables and used tons of WD-40 to free them. Then I took to the parking drum brake with a mallet because those pieces wouldn't move at all. Now it moves as it should although there's a chance one of the shoes is bent so I might as well replace them anyways.
I probably do need to figure out the correct system I just don't know how to and will do some more research on common swaps. I've tried reaching out to the previous owner and he just doesn't respond. |
take some pictures of the differential cover, and someone will probably be able to identify. Also on one of the cover bolts might be a stamped metal tag that will give us the info we need.
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8.25" axle with an aftermarket cover.
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After finally finding the time to get out and work on it, the parking brake works well now. I replaced the shoes (I ordered ones for a 1998 Ford Explorer) and redid the hardware setup too. I adjusted the star adjusted pretty far and now it holds on a hill and prevents the car from idling when the lever is up. It doesn't work as well when I give it some gas, but I think it should be good enough. Thanks for all the advice!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6a51b02d0d.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5f4833cb66.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...931bcfc442.jpg |
Yeah Ford brakes, I have same on my jeep, but I have a Ford 9 inch axle, you dont.
at anyrate good you got things fixed. you see them two L shaped brackets that are spot welded to the floor pan, one for each cable? On mine the spot welds tore, so the L shaped brackets moved when the cable was pulled. I had to re weld them to the pan. prior to that could not apply enough brake handle pressure to the brakes as the L brackets flexed from the floor pan get under your jeep and have a helped apply hard then release the brake lever, observe if those brackets flex on the pan. , it so reweld. if welding you need to lift the interior carpet and padding off the floor, else welding will start it burning !!!!! late model xj's eliminated them L brackets with a different design. |
Then it hit me...those are a disc brake rear axle...must have come off a Grand or possibly a modified Ford axle. I hope you took a set of disc brake calipers and rotors to get those pictures. SadlyI have never seen a disc rear so I can't really help
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1ec9f2fd64.jpg |
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