The jeep Cherokee uses drum brakes on its rear wheels, which use brake shoes instead of pads. These brake shoes need to be replaced over time, and they need to be replaced on both sides together. Fixing drum brakes and replacing the shoes is not easy, however. The drum brakes contain multiple springs, cables and retainers that must be removed from the assembly to change the shoes.
Instructions
- 1
Raise and support the Cherokee's rear end on jack stands, then remove both rear wheels. Block the front wheels.
2Remove the spring nuts securing the brake drums to the wheel studs and remove the drums. If the drums are stuck, retract the brake shoes by removing the access plug on the rear of backing plate and using a brake tool and screwdriver to back off the adjuster screw.
3Disconnect the U-clip and washer that secures the adjuster cable to parking brake lever, then remove the return springs (primary and secondary) from the anchor pin. Remove the hold-down springs with their retainers/pins, and place clamps on the wheel cylinders to keep the pistons in place.
4Remove the adjuster lever, adjuster screw and spring from the assembly, followed by the adjuster cable and cable guide. You can now remove the leading and trailing brake shoes along with the parking brake strut. Remove the parking brake lever by disconnecting its cable.
5Clean and lubricate the anchor pin and shoe contact surfaces on the support plate using a high-temp multipurpose grease. Lubricate the adjuster screw, adjuster cable guides, parking brake lever and lever pivot pin with the same grease.
6Connect the parking brake lever to the new trailing brake shoe using a new washer and U-clip. Remove the clamps on the wheel cylinder, attach the parking brake lever to its cable and install the new shoes to the plate. Use new hold-down springs, retainers and pins with the shoes.
7Reconnect the parking brake strut and spring, the guide plate and adjuster cable onto the anchor pin, and the return springs onto the plate. Connect the adjuster cable guide onto the trailing brake shoe.
8Lubricate the adjuster screw and assemble it into its star wheel socket. Re-install the screw, along with its spring and lever, and connect it to the adjuster cable.
9Adjust the brake shoes until they fit just within the brake drum, then re-install the drum. Pull the hand-brake cable gently to compress the shoes.
10Put the Jeep in neutral, making sure the front wheels are still securely blocked. Rotate the drum by hand and listen for the shoes dragging against the drum surface. Adjust the star wheel by inserting a brake spoon into the backing plate's adjustment opening until you only hear a slight drag.
