I have a ex-forestry service 97 XJ originally from Florida, the lady that owned it before me drove it all the way to California then put it in storage. I've had it for a few years now and I've fixed a couple of problems that come with old cars that haven't been run but the one thing I can't seem to fix is the drums. I've taken it to a couple of specialists and they all seem to have different opinions when it comes to the cause of the drums warping. I've replaced the rear axle rods, and that seemed to fix the problem on the passenger side but not the driver's side (the passenger side rod was ever so slightly bent but the driver's side wasn't). I live on a ranch up a 4-mile dirt road and another problem that keeps reoccurring is dust getting trapped in the drums, which one mechanic thought was causing the problem. No matter what I do it doesn't seem to prevent my drums from going bad. Another thing to note is when I bought it all the ABS fuses and relays had been pulled out, and I was wondering if that could be the culprit,
So just to summarize
- I do 8 miles of dirt driving every day
- Dust seems to get stuck in the drums
- the drums warp
- ABS fuses and relays pulled
- Both rear-axle rods replaced because one was slightly bent and I wanted to cover my bases
- Any help would be apreciated

 

Check your parking brake cables to make Sure they are free and returning all the way and not make the brakes drag also check that the brake fluid not holding it .

 

If by axle rod you meant the axle shaft, the backing plate could be bent which can affect how the shoes move. I had a bent axle shaft at the hub flange in the Mustang once and the shoes would wear unevenly. Replaced the shaft and still had uneven wear, so i checked the backing plate and it was warped. There was a slight pulse in the rear brakes. Replaced the backing plate and the brakes have been fine ever since. the contact point on the backing plate had to welded smooth as the shoes dug a groove in a couple of them.

When an axle shaft bends, it pulls the drum with it, and the drum pushes on the backing plate. Might not be your issue, but worth checking.

 

when you say pulsing rear drums, do you mean that the drums are physically /visually not turning true, or do you feel pulsing in the pedal. If visual, take the drums off and jack up rear end and put it in drive. Do the axle flanges turn true?