Left rear brake went kapow
02-08-2023, 08:57 PM
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Left rear brake went kapow
Me brakes all the sudden felt weak on the '96 XJ today and I get home to find the inside of my left tire coated with something coming from the drum. Looks like it all came out when I was stopped because it's all in one direction. So what am I looking at replacing here...probably the cylinder? Checked the whole brake line system and all the connections are dry, just the fluid coming from the inside of that brake drum.
Other than the shoes which I think are fine, what all should I replace when I'm in there?
I'd like to go OEM considering it's the brakes but since it's the rear and I'm strapped right now I wouldn't mind going with a known good manufacturer.
Other than the shoes which I think are fine, what all should I replace when I'm in there?
I'd like to go OEM considering it's the brakes but since it's the rear and I'm strapped right now I wouldn't mind going with a known good manufacturer.
02-08-2023, 10:17 PM
#2
CF Veteran
Probably a wheel cylinder, I'd recommend changing the shoes and hardware while your in there. You'll have to tear the one side down completely anyway. Might as well freshen up the rear brakes on both sides.
02-09-2023, 04:23 AM
#4
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,538
Received 659 Likes
on
562 Posts
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Do ONE SIDE AT A TIME
Its easily possible to put things back together wrong
take photos
bear in mind someone may have put something back *** about before you got there
replace the rear rubber hose if you think its still original
shoes that have been fluid soaked are generally no good
Its easily possible to put things back together wrong
take photos
bear in mind someone may have put something back *** about before you got there
replace the rear rubber hose if you think its still original
shoes that have been fluid soaked are generally no good
The following users liked this post:
IJM (02-09-2023)
02-09-2023, 06:47 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Indiana
Posts: 578
Received 158 Likes
on
115 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
This may be obvious and a stupid question to ask, but have you determined it is brake fluid? And not gear oil? I understand those two fluids are vastly different in appearance, feel and smell but I'm just throwing it out there.
The following users liked this post:
IJM (02-09-2023)
02-09-2023, 10:46 AM
#6
CF Veteran
That was my question...if you blew the wheel cyl you should have lost enough fluid to trip the brake light, but if you lost the axle seal...then its gear oil
When you say weak, do you mean pedal travel got more with no stopping or it was still high and firm but no stopping power
When you say weak, do you mean pedal travel got more with no stopping or it was still high and firm but no stopping power
Last edited by bluejeep2001; 02-09-2023 at 10:50 AM. Reason: More questions
02-09-2023, 05:08 PM
#7
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
I felt the brakes go somewhat soft in the middle of the ride just before I found the leak. Fairly sure because of that it's brake fluid but I'll take a closer look when I get it opened up to make sure. Thanks for the idea.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gabegnzlz
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
15
03-14-2021 05:58 PM
BstrdXJ
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
19
11-18-2013 10:06 AM
drawingflies
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
07-18-2011 06:31 PM
k2keith
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
08-12-2010 01:09 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)