Brake sieze problem

[KirkLipscomb]

On a 95 Cherokee, when I stop I get a hard "thunk". This happens at slow speed - haven't tried a quick stop. When I get someone else to drive it and walk beside, it seems like the rear brakes may be siezing up - the rear wheels seem to grab and skid immediately.

I replaced the shoes and drums about 10K miles ago, along with pads on front. I did not replace wheel cylinders, master cylinder, etc.

Any ideas on what would produce such a symptom?

[KirkLipscomb]

I reviewed my message and realized that I was unclear on one point. I replaced the brake shoes awhile back, but the problem just started.

[KirkLipscomb]

One more point.

I was just driving it, trying to figure it out. I came to a very slow stop and it never seized. After that, it stopped seizing. So, it seems to be an intermittent problem.

[thinmints]

Originally Posted by KirkLipscomb

One more point.

I was just driving it, trying to figure it out. I came to a very slow stop and it never seized. After that, it stopped seizing. So, it seems to be an intermittent problem.

My 96 does that but only if it rains i just drive a ways with the brake pressed to try and clear the moisture off

[AlohaBra]

Jack the rear up and put it up on stands. Run the Jeep and see the they work (do not put it in 4wd for obvious safety reasons).

Make sure the shoes are not installed backwards. Or make sure there is no oil or brake fluid leaking into the drum brakes.

In the winter, if you set the parking brake, the water and brake dust in there will freeze and cause the shoes to stick when it is cold enough to freeze.

[KirkLipscomb]

The freezing issue is interesting... I have just the opposite situation. I'm in Colorado and weathered the frigid winter just fine. Now that things are starting to thaw out the problem shows up.

I will do the jack stand experiment tomorrow.

Thanks!
Kirk

[1996Chreokee]

my 96 grabs also... if it rains or if its real damp outside... but goes away right after using the brakes the first time

[Ray H]

X3 on the wet brakes grabbing. Either ride the brakes for 50 ft or so or hold up on the parking brake for a short distance when you first start driving. That usually clears the moisture out for me.

[KirkLipscomb]

Thanks for the replies regarding moisture in the rear brakes. This does appear to be the culprit. The day we first noticed it, the roads were wet from melted snow. The problem disappeared and reared its ugly head again this morning when it was raining. The drive while pushing the brake pedal technique cleared it up and, as the roads dried up during the day, the problem has not recurred.

Now... there MUST be some way to fix this other than heating up your brake drums every time it rains. We have a 90 in the family that has never experienced this and the 95 only just started doing it.

Any thoughts on the root cause? Brake shoe material perhaps?

[Jeep Thing]

Those Jeeps have had that problem from 1987 - 1997. It has to do with the diameter of the brakes (can't change that) and the shoes. If you use cheep pads they will absorb moisture and lock at speeds of less than 15 mph.

The best way to cure this problem is 1) use high quality metalic brake shoes (even severe duty ones if necessary) and 2) make sure that the drums are in good shape (if in question, replace them).

New spring sets doesn't seem to make any difference. Don't grease anything. Make sure all dust is removed. Use brake cleaner liberally.

All this comes from my 20+ years of Jeeping.

Steve

[KirkLipscomb]

In my case, I believe I fixed it. It has been doing fine for quite awhile now and I didn't want to post until I was sure the problem wouldn't reappear.

I sprayed some soapy water on the wheel cylinders and had someone pump the breaks. I was getting massive bubbles on the passenger side. I replaced both wheel cylinders and the problem seems to have disappeared.

Kirk