Jeep XJ Brake Adjustment

Can anyone help me with understanding how the rear brake adjustment works on an XJ? I've looked at the manuals and none describe correctly how to release the pawl that prevents the star wheel from turning. I've used screwdrivers and a brake adjustment tool to no avail. If you could direct me to a photo or drawing I would appreciate it. I'm unable to get the drum off to replace the pads because am unable to retract the shoes.

Before you can adjust the brakes you must ensure the parking brake is released. In addition, you have to loosen the parking brake cable nut so there is some slack in the single front cable (the one coming from the parking brake lever); this is because there will still be tension on the cable even if the brake handle is released and this can prevent you from releasing the self adjuster from the starwheel.

Once all the above is done, you should be able to use a slender flat blade screwdriver to push the self adjusting lever (which is connected to the parking brake cable) off the starwheel. The diagram shows the screwdriver slipping thru the backing plate slot and on top of the adjuster assembly (star wheel). Moving the handle of the adjuster up (which turns the starwheel down) tightens the brakes.


Mike
00XJ

To adjust the brake shoes to take up slack, you do not need to push the self adjuster out of the way.

You could also try backing the vehicle up to allow the self adjuster to
self adjust. That is how it is designed.

You only need to push the self adjuster lever out of the way to make clearance to remove the brake drum for brake inspection. If you are going to do that, stick a "skinny" screwdriver in the adjusting hole and push it in. It is spring loaded. Then using another wider screw driver turn the adjuster so the shoes will retract. Once you have the drum off you can see how it works.

The drum brake is a basic American duo-servo, self-energizing design.

Tip: Change the brake cylinders while you are in there.

before you try to get the drum of, spray pb blast in the adjust hole and let soak on the adjust screws. they usually freeze with mud and such if you use it like i did. jeep on!

I appreciate the input. I took the other side off and found that you have to go under the adjustment wheel to push the pawl off the wheel in order to back off the shoes. This is contrary to the two manuals I have and all the pictures I've seen on various websites. After going back to the first wheel and getting no where again, I used brute force to get the drum off and found that one side had a broken holddown spring/retainer which is used to hold the shoe against the backing plate. This caused the shoe to push against the outside of the drum and "rack" the adjuster so it wouldn't move. From the looks of all the brake dust and the wear on the shoe it had been that way for some time. So, all fixed. Again thanks for the input.