Hey Team.

Another brake question/issue for my 99 XJ

I have noise in the back wheels when I am driving. Can only hear it when I am going slow, but it sounds like a light rubbing noise.
Additionally the park brake isn't super strong when on. I can drive away pretty easy with it up. I have adjusted it before to try fix that and make it strong when up, but still no good.

Looking online I have seen threads saying noise might be from the park brake being over extended, weak springs and on.
I am wondering if I need new brakes in the rear, as the brakes in general are not amazing and it takes a pretty heavy foot to bring the old girl the a stop.

SO question is - Would a new set in the back fix the park brake strength and noise when driving?

Cheers!

Have you pulled a drum to see what things look like in there?

Not yet, but will this weekend and get some pics to add. Just checking to see if someone had the same issue and might have come to a fix, then would order some brakes for the rear.

I'd check the star wheel adjuster before I did anything else. That should impact the parking brake operation as well.

Thanks mate!

What am I checking for here?
Sorry this is new to me.....

Cheers!

I took the old gal into Firestone for a check and they said it needs all new everything in the back - Drums, adjuster kit etc.

The noise was a broken spring rolling round in the drum and rubbing.

I am guessing I buy a "full drum kit" and go from there.... get on Google and follow the videos?
Any pointers I might need to know before I kick off?

Cheers!

Get the drums off on both sides. Then do one side at a time, so you can reference the other side on how to put it back together. Pictures along the way that you can reference later are also helpful when tearing things apart.

In addition to the above, make sure the side you do first is the broken side so you have a good side to reference on the other side.

The trick I have found is to install the star adjuster last. Put the shoes and springs on and adjust the star to the shortest it will go and then install that last. Then you adjust the star to open the shoes until the drum just barely fits.

Ah great idea mate and thanks!

Thanks mate, great idea!

Hey Team…..

So I just finished one side of the drums and watching back the video above noticed I put the adjuster cable hook to the front and not the back like it says to in the video.

I checked the other side and it is at the front like I’ve done (please see attached)

Can I keep it as is?





The picture in my hand is how it was told to be done on the video.

Cheers!

Yeah, that's fine. Doesn't change how the spring sits.

Cheers mate!

Ended up taking it apart and setting it right…. As I was looking at my top springs and the under/over of the spring hook was different to the old ones. It seems fine and both sides match.





On the old one the springs hooked the opposite way (if that makes sense.)

One question I do have (now both sides are done)

I put the drums back on and spun them and it’s scraping a little (with new pads and drums). They are adjusted all the way in.

I’ve just never done them and don’t know if it’s just me worrying or what!?

So essentially they are all the in and the drums slide on fine, then when I spin them there’s a slight rubbing (metal on metal) noise.

Is this fine?

Cheers