I have a 99 cherokee classic 4.0 4WD automatic
Someone told me my rear breaks were not working at all so I decided id change them. I asked someone I work with for help because the rear breaks are drum breaks and idk how to do that plus he was already in the shop. After he finished up he came by and he told me that my rear breaks don't stop my jeep only the front ones do and the drum breaks are only used when I engage the parking break and that the pads looked fine anyway and I didn't need to change them. Is this true ? I though I used all breaks when stopping now I'm so confused. And idk if this guy is just lazy and didn't want to help me or if he was telling the truth.

 

He's wrong!
If your rear brakes don't work at all, make sure someone hasn't disconnected the rear line and plugged the connection at the master cylinder or somewhere.

 

The front brakes do 70% of the work, the rears do the other 30% and act as the parking brake.

 

^. I'd start learning about your vehicle and stop referring to "someone".

 

Brakes:

I've seen drum and disc brakes, drums and discs break, but never drum or disc breaks.


"Someone" told me ^^this.

 

It drives me nuts when some one uses the wrong form of a word. To many people dew that round hear.

 

Well stated, and true. LOL.

 

Google is someone's friend

 

 

yes.

 

Rear drums will last a long time as long as they are working your good to go.As far as the rear only being a parking brake is total bull.If he really believes that i would never let him touch my jeep ever.

 

Thanks everyone I appreciate it and I won't be asking him for help anymore.

 

There's a chance that your wheel cylinders are seized. I just did my back brakes and had to put in new cylinders because one side didn't move at all and the other was iffy.

Take the wheels off then pull off the drums and see what you have going on in there. If the shoes are worn a bunch change them. If the drums are worn a bunch or grooved then change them too.

If there's any greasy crap in there the cylinder likely blew at some point and probably seized after that. (Brake fluid attracts moisture)

You'll have to pull off the tensioner springs to get the shoes apart and see if the pistons on the cylinders move freely.

If you do cylinders get some new hard line for the rear as well. The pre flared stuff is great for this. Just get a 20" section for the drivers side and a 40" section for the passenger side. Just replace the line on the rear axle from the wheel to the junction.

If you change anything get a new hardware kit too (springs etc..)

 

take a look at the write-ups in the forum

 

Here's one to help him out:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...-8-25-a-58947/