Hey everyone,

My 2001 xj sport is leaking brake fluid. Its coming from my rear passenger wheel. Any input on what everyone thinks it is would be great and also how much will I or should I be paying to get this fixed. Some more info is that I do see fluid in my driveway, brakes go all the way down when I step on them and warning brake light came on. Obviously its not safe but am I alright driving at all on it? ??

 

Do not drive it this way. You will not be able to stop.

It sounds like you had a wheel cylinder seal go. At this point you will need to do a full rear brake job. As the break fluid has ruined the pads.

I replace rather than rebuild the wheel cylinder as I do not have the tools and it is easier for me.

If you have not done rear breaks here is a link to give you an idea what is involved.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...kes-d35-45100/

There has to be one for wheel cylinder replacement somewhere on the web, most drum breaks are similar enough to give you an understanding of what is involved.

 

Yea as stated above ^^ don't drive around with leaking breaks its not safe for you or the people around you . . as for the wheel cylinder i would just get a new one, there's no sense in rebuilding one as they are fairly inexpensive . . to replace it your going to have to remove the drum and pull the shoes to gain access to the cylinder which i believe is held in by two 10mm bolts and the brake line

 

WHEEL CYLINDER IS ABOUT 10 BUCKS AT A-ZONE. GO AHEAD AND REPLACE SHOES, SPRINGS AND DRUMS WHILE YOU'RE AT IT. IT WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND TROUBLE IN THE LONG RUN.............

 

Hey I just read this thread and I know I need to replace my wheel cylinder. I've never done it before... any walk throughs?

 

Like this?
http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/2010...jeep-cherokee/

 

Don't even think about driving any vehicle with a leaking brake system. New wheel cylinders don't cost that much more than the repair kits.

 

That's what I was looking for thanks Dukie!

 

Since U don't sound like U have to much experience with brakes just make sure everything is double-checked.

Your going to be doing a brake job right ? Replacing BOTH wheel cylinders ( if one failed the other should not be to far behind)-shoes-spring kit-drum ( cut or new) ? Either getting the drums cut or grtting new ones > I chose new since the cost of getting them cut made more sense to spend a little more $$$ and start fresh.

You can/should do 1 side at a time so you can use the other side as a template. Taking the brake-line off the cylinder it MAY break then you'll have to replace that -and they do break often.