So th other day I had to slam on my breaks and the break light came on so I started checking everything and I found this on the left rear drum...it looks andfeels like grease but its coming from the drum?

 

gotta pull the drum only way to tell could be leaking wheel cyl or leaking seal

 

there is that little cylinder that pushes the pad into the drum, that could of exploded. Probably used the wrong terms, you should get the idea though. Look up diagrams if you can't pull it apart to see. Could be a line that went poof too, but guessing that cylinder is weaker.

 

I would be willing to bet its a blown wheel cylinder.

 

Ok ill have to look into that...please excuse my ignorance but how will I know what the actual problem/solution is. Ill look for a write up on how to remove and replace them, I just have never worked on anything on the rear axle yet to this extent

 

will just need to install a new cylinder and bleed the air out of the brake lines. Both of which have write ups all over the place, just search when you take the wheel off and find that is your problem.

 

One trick is to leave one side together to you can see how it goes. Another is heat. If the drum is seized solid, (not stuck wiggling), heat will let it come right off. And don't strip the heads of the little bolts holding the cyl's. (OK to break them though). If it feels like its not right STOP. Get a 6 point socket or something.

 

when replaceing brake parts its best to do both sides jm2cw

 

Ok thanks for all the quick replies and helpful hints (not telling me to use the search function or making a big deal out of asking questions) I've done minor brake work but only on disks I'm new to drums :x

 

After looking at the other one it is the same way....what could have caused BOTH of them to break...any thoughts? Don't wanna do this again lol

 

Maybe just worn to the point the pistons are way out in the cyls. If that's the case they probably hadn't been adjusted had you had a bunch of play in the petal.

 

if there is ANY fluid leaking from a wheel cylinder replace it. They leak if the seals are bad, which happens over time. Being out of adjustment or badly worn can cause the pushrods to pop out of the cyclinder as well. Check that the self adjusters are working right and in good shape and check your shoe thickness.

While you have the drums apart you might as well replace the shoes and springs as well as adjuster cables unless they are all obviously new. Brake parts for these are pretty cheap and it's a nice feeling KNOWING your brakes are in good working order.

Remember that brakes should be done in pairs, never only one side,(only take one side apart at a time though so you have something to reference when you can't figure out how all those springs go back in) otherwise you could end up with uneven braking power which makes driving straight difficult, ha.

 

if it feels kinda like grease, probably the axle seal.
if it is in fact the wheel cylinder, they can be replaced without taking apart the brakes. just have to pull the top springs to release the shoes.
then use copious amounts of brake clean on the pads and drums to remove all brake fluid.

i just did mine on the tj. but i replaced the drums.