ParadiseMJ Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 OK MJ folks, 88 MJ, AW4, 4.0L D44 LSD. I did the brakes all around about 6 months ago. They seemed to work fine...although a little weak. Nice pedal and response, I bled the prop valve per the instructions I've read on here. I thought I had done the adjustment fine...but...apparently I did NOT. I grew up on drum brakes, so I know how they go together, I'm just a tad confused. Anyhoo, I went about the task of checking and re-adjusting them today. By the way the Chilton manual totally sucks for Cherokee/Comanche brake instructions. There's no decent picture of the brakes. So I finally got the thing turned to where I could not move the wheel by hand...then...it says to back it off 15-20 turns. Does that mean "revolutions" or stabs (a stab = about 1/8 turn). That seems excessive. So, frustrated agan I took the wheel and the drum off. 15-20 stabs = ~ 2 to 2.5 full revolutions of that star wheel, which almost completely closes the adjuster. I did what it said to do, put the drum and wheel back on, with the rear jacked up, I started the Jeep, put it in D and the rear wheels started going...but applying the brakes barely stopped the wheel, and when I gave it a tiny bit of gas, the wheel started going again. So, I surmised that it was "backed off" way too much. I cranked it back to solid, and backed it off about 5 stabs, til I could move the wheel with only a tiny bit of drag. So, just as a point of info, before I do the other wheel (the same way): Is that right?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 iirc ...to fully adjust the rear drum brakes you put it on all four tires and ride in reverse a few feet and drive around to try the brakes then if they are too loose to readjust them again. I could be wrong but I remember an instructor in auto mechanics class saying that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakedoc67 Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 iirc ...to fully adjust the rear drum brakes you put it on all four tires and ride in reverse a few feet and drive around to try the brakes then if they are too loose to readjust them again. I could be wrong but I remember an instructor in auto mechanics class saying that... :agree: When I had to adjust my brakes what finally worked was backing up about 10 feet and hitting the brakes. After a couple of times of doing this they worked fine and I havent had to touch them since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParadiseMJ Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share Posted June 13, 2013 Yeah, I did that 6 mos. ago...seemed inconclusive. Thus my inspection today. The brake shoes are 6 mos. old and look brand new, so I don't think they were doing much good. Since I only drive the thing 2-3 times a month I've been remiss in fixing things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Charlie, just junk the rear drums on that D44 and install some Ford Explorer or ZJ disks and no more problems. Never look back and better brakes too. Win-win. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 :agree: I put ZJ rears on my XJ and haven't been happier. Makes a world of difference in braking, BUT I also have the '95-'96 dual diaphragm booster and MC installed. Haven't swapped the guts of the prop. valve yet. When I get a chance, I'm going to do this upgrade to my MJ. You can't go wrong with this and it's 20x easier to work on discs than drums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParadiseMJ Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share Posted June 13, 2013 Charlie, just junk the rear drums on that D44 and install some Ford Explorer or ZJ disks and no more problems. Never look back and better brakes too. Win-win. :cheers: Yep, this is also on my list. I have been looking for an 8.8 to swap in with 4.10 gears as I have a D30 with 4.10's all shined up and re-sealed sitting ing storage (I currently have 3.07's). But right now I have to work with what I have. I'm somewhat hindered by $$ and time...short on both these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I'm somewhat hindered by $$ and time...short on both these days. Who isn't these days? lol Especially anyone owns and older Jeep haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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