How to Repair a Jeep's Rear Brakes

Most Jeeps use rear drum brakes for stopping power.

Most Jeeps use rear drum brakes to help the front brakes stop. The rear brakes complete approximately 20 percent of the braking when you press on the pedal. As the brake shoes wear out, you will notice squealing and elongated stopping distances. The only way to repair Jeep rear brakes when the shoes wear out is to replace the shoes with a new pair. This means you need to remove the brake drums. To do so, you will need to purchase or rent a brake drum puller from your local auto parts store.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• Jack stand
• Wheel blocks
• Tire iron
• Marking paint
• Brake drum puller
• Pliers
• Brake shoes
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Place a jack under the frame directly in front of the Jeep's rear driver side tire. Jack the Jeep up, place a jack stand under the frame, and then lower the Jeep onto the jack stand. Place wheel blocks around the front wheels.

2. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel using a tire iron. Pull the wheel from the axle hub.

3. Place a strip of marking paint on the backside of the brake drum. Make sure you get a straight line of paint that extends from the drum to the back of the axle hub. This will allow you to line up the brake drum on the axle. If you are replacing the drums, the paint is not necessary.

4. Place the drum brake puller onto the Jeep's drum. Place the three fingers on the back of the drum and the threaded center post in the center of the wheel hub. Turn the threaded post until the brake drum pulls free from the wheel hub.

5. Remove the springs that retain the brake shoes to the axle hub using a pair of pliers.

6. Pull the brake shoes off the axle hub, and replace them with new ones. Secure them using the springs and the pliers.

7. Place the brake drum onto the axle hub. Line up the paint marks on the back of the drum. Pound the brake drum onto the axle housing using a rubber mallet.

8. Place the wheel back onto the axle hub. Secure it using the tire iron and lug nuts.

9. Jack the Jeep up, remove it from the jack stand, and lower it to the ground. Double-check the lug nuts for tightness.

10. Duplicate the process on the other rear brake.

References

• "Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Limited, Comanche, Wagoneer Repair Manual 1984-2001"; Matthew E. Frederick, A.S.E., S.A.E., Bob Henderson; 2008