How can I tell, short of removing the wheel and measuring, the size of my rear drums on a 2001 XJ Limited? What was the typical drum size used for that yr. 9" or 10"?
I also have one wheel cylinder leaking, should I replace both cylinders for good measure or just the leaking one?
~Thanx

 

Drum size can be told from outside cooling fins. Pretty sure the 10" have the fins and the 9" do not.

As far as the wheel cylinders go, replace in a pair. You may want to look at your line condition too if youre gonna go ahead and do the job.

 

Line condition...the entire line or just at the wheel?

 

I had a squealing from a rear brake so I figured it was time to replace the shoes (only owned this XJ since last fall so I didn't know the brake replacement history). I did a quick visual inspection and saw leakage and assumed the brake cylinder was shot, but I should have been more thorough in checking the brake fluid or pulling the drum to confirm that. I bought brake shoes and cylinders but upon taking the drum off one side I was surprised to find the shoe was practically new (my '92 is 9"). Removed the drum from the leaky side and discovered my brake shoes/cylinder to be fine, and in fact I had a leaky axle seal. Just a heads up to do a thorough inspection before you go through the hassle that I did!

 

The size should be stamped in metric on the drum. If you are replacing the shoes in the brake drum, they should be 9-inch. I just replaced mine last weekend.

 

the smooth drums are the 9", and the ones with the ribs are 10".

as a side not, i'd figure i'd throw this out there too: the 9" drums have a wider pad to them, while the 10" drums may be narrower, but are a taller pad. many guys will think the wider 9" pads will help with braking power, but overall, both brakes perform exactly the same. despite the wider and narrower pads, the overall surface contact area on the pads is the same, thus making one brake type just as efficient as the other.

 

Thanx for all the input guys...

 

9 inch drum is smooth and it's the d35 drum.
10 inch drum is ribbed and it is the d44 drum.

not sure about the 8.25. i can't remember what mine was when i did the brakes on the dak.

 

^the 9" is also used on the 8.25 as well. that's exactly what i got.

 

Thanks for the info, I am getting ready to do mine soon.

 

I think they used a 10 in drum on the d35 some years too. Not sure which years though.

 

Thanx again for the info..
I just posted another question about crossdrilled & slotted rotors, your experience using them would be greatly appreciated

 

The 10" Drums were part of the XJ Police Package according to the Mopar/Jeep Factory Service Manual and were distinguished by their cooling fins over the 9" that do not.

Debating whether to replace my original 13 year old Drums,they look fine inside or just POR-15 them.....

 

My 95 has them