Rebuilding Drum Brakes | Jeep Cherokee XJ

In this video I will show you how to replace and rebuild the entire drum brake system. This process is very similar to other vehicle models but today I will show you how to do it on a Jeep Cherokee XJ. This process may be similar on other Jeep models such as the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and Comanche. I will show you how to do the whole job from start to finish. If you have any questions that the video does not cover make sure to leave them below.
Thanks for watching! Make sure to like, share, and subscribe to keep these how-to videos coming.
OutJeeping Decals: www.etsy.com/s...
Brake Flaring Tool Kit: www.amazon.com...
Jeep XJ 9" Drum Brake Kit: www.rockauto.c...
Jeep XJ 10" Drum Brake Kit: www.rockauto.c...
Jeep XJ 9" Wheel Cylinder (2X): www.rockauto.c...
Jeep XJ 10" Right Wheel Cylinder: www.rockauto.c...
Jeep XJ 10" Left Wheel Cylinder: www.rockauto.c...
Jeep XJ, YJ, MJ, TJ Extended 21" Brake Line: www.rockauto.c...
Music used in this video:
The Wrong Way by Silent Partner
Pickup Truck by Silent Partner
Cruiser by Silent Partner
Harvest Time by Silent Partner

[@ReyesBuilt]

New xj owner here! Watching all your old stuff and life saver! Watching all the ads 👍🏼

[@ACVBeAWolf7792]

Another way to tell if you have 9 or 10 inch drums is that the 9 inch drums are smooth on the exterior and the 10 inch are finned. Thanks for the video! Great content!

[@aditparikh781]

This is the best video for 90s Cherokees and TJs. Saved me so much time because I took pictures but it didn’t help me much

[@Snoo42]

Bruh I’m getting a xj in a few week and ur channels gonna help so much

[@davidcrowson4745]

This is one of the best tutorials I have seen you are very good this has given me the confidence to try and do it myself thank you

[@Zoofactory]

Videos have been great refreshing my memory prior to a week’s worth of maintenance and upgrades. 👍

[@imhann98]

This video came just in time. Doing this job myself this week!

[@tylergappa]

Super helpful. All the videos I was finding were requiring me to have all the specialty brake tools. This was perfect for explaining how to do this job with just regular ol tools I have. Appreciate it!

[@huudathot]

Nice video and I am using it for reference on a brake job, but one thing stands out. The little cable has nothing to do with the park brake, it is the self adjuster that advances the adjuster one notch when you apply the brakes in reverse (if they are in spec it can't tighten it too much). That way when you back out of your parking spot it makes sure the brakes are adjusted for you. The little flat bar IS a part of the parking brake system and expands the front shoe when the lever pushes the back shoe out.

[@OutJeeping]

Yup I agree, I caught my self calling the cable for the parking brake while editing the video. Unfortunately didn't correct it.

[@glenduke4874]

Man this video saved the day!!! Never done drums before and watched several videos. This one got me through!

[@VWTG100]

That's good stuff, but every drum brake video needs to remember to explain that there are two self-adjusters, which are side-specific. Looking at the brake a few simple guides. Shorter Pad to the front and adjusters always adjust outward(spreading pads) Upward

[@koobydeh]

Finally a good drum brake video! Thanks so much!

[@FreeznOffRoad]

I'v been meaning to change my drum brake shoes on my 1992 Jeep Cherokee so thanks for the tips!😉

[@David-rj1ru]

Hey outjeeping how doyou know so much bout this stuff?

[@arrianyveswheeler8151]

Wow! What an excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to make that. I’m new to doing mechanic work, and this is the type of video that is extremely helpful. Two thumbs up from me!❤

[@stepheneades5467]

You really make some top notch videos! Very knowledgeable.

[@manuelsolano7525]

Very well explain great video thank you.

[@gregphillips1998]

The shoe with the longer lining should go to the rear of the drum. I like that kit. I’m going to have to look that up since I’m in the process of resurrecting my fathers old 93 XJ. It’s been sitting for 10 years. A lot has to be done.

[@brendan4300]

What have you done so far to that 93 XJ? I'm fixing up my grandfather's '00 XJ which has been sitting out in the weather for about 10 years. So far I've swapped a bad fuel pump, spark plugs, and rebuilt the brakes. Replacing coolant tomorrow. Is there anything obvious I'm neglecting to do, or that XJs specifically need? Not too experienced in cars, so I really don't wanna miss something important.

[@MrGabrielmedina]

@@brendan4300Dunno how far you’ve gotten since, but definitely give her an oil change

[@brendan4300]

@@MrGabrielmedina Oh yeah, that was one of my first moves before I even started it. When I opened up the plug, it was almost like a paste

[@djtny8127]

Defo needed this video. need to attack my rear brakes when I brake one side locks up! Thanks

[@jcxj]

Great video working on mine and what a help from people who shares this info , just saved myself 1000 bucks 😅😅 from mechanics and to spend it any ways on more parts😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@kokadjooutdoors620]

Doing front now back will be next probably some front end love also. Restoring my grandmothers jeep she just stopped driving last year at 94

[@73foreman]

Hi. This was a great masterclass video. Is there a video where we can see how to change wheels in case they failed while traveling? Seems like a simple question, but in a Jeep it's important to know where to attach the jack. Also what jack is best to use. Thanks

[@brentdutcher2875]

Great job, I did mine last winter. Thanks for the heads up on that rear brake line. I really did not want to buy the SS brake line. I putting in new 3" rubicon exspress leaf springs in the next couple of weeks.

[@kokadjooutdoors620]

Been looking at their leaf springs also coils as well

[@MP777maker]

Thanks helped a lot compared to other videos

[@timwatkins3828]

So helpful. Thank you for the great instructions

[@gamingpacman6843]

Good video man saved me a ton of time!

[@r.j.schubert9222]

Good job. I enjoy watching your videos.

[@cdub166]

Excellent video!

[@stevenm7566]

Another very well done and informative video Thanks

[@tonyperez5360]

good job

[@joebednar9420]

Good Job! Thanks for sharing!

[@roachwerks3043]

Weird pro tip. But if you want to replace those spring lock pins with other a small bolt and lock nut, it works perfectly fine. I got tired of fighting with them when rebuilding my brakes lol

[@DustySteel]

Your videos are awesome and very well done!👍

[@drgil65]

Great video Austin, Thanks

[@webstella]

Fantabulous

[@Putttn]

Great video. So good I’m subscribed.

[@JustJeep_It]

Nice and clean!!! Good work

[@stevenmaxwell166]

Video Well done, keep up the Good Work.

[@rvmagnum5415]

OK , the cable is the self adjuster cable . the adjusting pawl your calling a lock is to adjust the automatic adjusters you have. the bar at the top is the parking brake. short brake shoe ( primary shoe ) goes on the front and the larger shoe (secondary shoe ) goes on the rear.

[@annafraley5388]

Good picture of the finished assembly at 26:39… ✅

[@stuartryan6055]

I learned how to do drum brakes on my 82 J 10.. Drum brakes aren’t hard once you understand how they work.

[@egidiogiani7380]

Never lift a motor by the differential as this is one of the main causes for bent/cracked axles. All lifting should be done at/near the suspension/spring points on the axle. Other than that, the small cable is actually the automatic shoe adjuster. Vehicle should be braked in forward and reverse to a complete standstill 6 to 10 times and shoe adjuster should set the correct clearance. 5 mph is fast enough to do this as you want to 'rock' the shoes for adjuster to operate.

[@hauntedfright]

if mine were that rusted I would replaces the whole everything😂

[@omerojuniorv]

That's what I thought haha

[@toddrhine7648]

Best video ever I have seen! Do u have 1 on replacing the rear outer axle seals?

[@OutJeeping]

That will be coming this summer.

[@toddrhine7648]

@OutJeeping Thx, will be waiting for that one. Kinda looks as if I need to pull the axle?

[@OutJeeping]

@@toddrhine7648 Yup, diff cover needs to come off, cross pin removed, then pop the axle shafts out to change the seals. Also good to do the shaft bearings right there while at it.

[@toddrhine7648]

@OutJeeping So how many so-called shaft bearings and so-called seals are there per side?? Also, I'm not sure what the professional names are for these parts when I go about ordering them! Thx much for your expertise and time.

[@GravyTrain98]

Hey man I love your videos. So helpful when doing this stuff for the first time. Do you happen to know what length the brake lines are? Thinking about getting them pre-made from AGS. Also im wondering, whats that soft line that comes out of the junction block on the axle?

[@OutJeeping]

Not sure on the length of hard lines, I just by the 25' spools. The rubber line on the axle is the rear soft brake line made for the Jeep. Nothing custom on that.

[@TheRealMikeWilly]

I always pull both wheels and both drums, and I do the ugliest side first and leave the other side alone until I'm done with the first so I have something for reference.

[@RobithicaThaGreat]

awesome vid thanks

[@smcfall2]

one more important note (and someone correct me if im wrong)..there is a front and a rear side brake pad...the front is usually slightly smaller than the rear...sometimes they are marked with a"F" or "R"...sometimes they will fit either way but you may not have brakes or they wont work as well as they should...not all vehicles are this way though..most are...i think the smaller size goes on the front...i always have to look first...and its very easy to forget that when you start putting the crap back together...also i think (not sure) you may have put the bigger pad on the front....

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Austin.You probably could have got the rear disk brakes off a ZJ out of a junk yard for about the same price but it would be all used parts.

[@user-wb3lp6yv4v]

Отличная работа 👍👍👍

[@Steeda04SVT]

Thanks for the links for the brake kit. Since it's been almost a year now since you made this video. What's your take so far on how your brakes are holding up? Thanks for any input and reviews.

[@OutJeeping]

Haven't had any issues yet. I may go in there again to grease stuff up and read adjust the shoes since there is just the slightest increase in pedal travel.

[@wyattandwill12]

Great video. My brakes are probably fine but my passenger rear emergency brake cable is seized stuck out up at the equalizer. I need to take everything apart to verify what’s going on. Hopefully I don’t need to buy a cable but there is damage on it over the diff.

[@OutJeeping]

I would probably buy a new cable. They are fairly cheap on rockauto.

[@wyattandwill12]

@@OutJeeping It ended up being the cable, there was visible damage over the diff and once I got the brakes torn down I verified that it was the cable and not the lever. I got a Dorman, good deal 😁

[@8avexp]

My '88 Jeep Cherokee has 10" rear drums with a raised center. Aftermarket drums don't fit properly because they have a flat center. That's why I'll grab the drums off any '89 or earlier Cherokee that I come across at a junkyard.

[@Ks-zz9lh]

legend

[@orlandoalarcon4158]

Modelo 90 cual es el kit por favor

[@thomasdearment3214]

ol man trick, raise up the car remove wheels brake drums do one at a time, get lost walk around and look at the undone one, repeat on the other side, after a while with the same car over and over you can do it in your sleep..

[@mohammedalmahroos4443]

Great 👍 video Thanks for learning Tem xj #jeep #cherokee I do Lots of mechanics because of you . sorry how i know my jeep brake Drum or Rotor 9" or 10"? I have jeep cherokee xj 2001, Limited, 4.0L, 4,door.

[@OutJeeping]

9" Drum brakes will have a smooth outside finish of the drum and 10" brakes will be ribbed.

[@IGuadarrama701]

Thank you .

[@officialWWM]

Wow, there’s a lot of parts in there! And lots of rust!

[@Joespower]

Getting ready to do this job (97 XJ). For reference, what size lift are you running on this? I want to do the rear brake hose at the same time as you did, but the 21" brake line seems like a lot. I won't be lifting mine more than say 3.5" max, and I'm not even in a hurry to do that. On RockAuto, there are several options for length. Looks like stock is about 14.5". They have an 18" length and this 21" length Sunsong for about the same price. Should I go with the shorter hose?

[@OutJeeping]

Currently I have a 3" lift that I installed after this video. 21" seems to be plenty but it's not in the way of anything. You could probably get away with a 18" line.

[@GlockUSMC]

I will need to rebuild my rear drum brakes. Do you know how to tell if you have the 9 inch or 10 inch drum?

[@OutJeeping]

I believe the 9" drums are smooth like in the video and the 10" have a ribbed drum.

[@AnitaHandy65]

What size is the nicop line?

[@OutJeeping]

3/16"

[@Deadbuck73]

What are the cylinder bolts and where can they be found? I wanted to do them but didn’t want to risk it… there was no sign of leakage.

[@OutJeeping]

You mean the 2 small bolts that bolt the cylinder on? Not totally sure on that but I think it's around a 5/16-18 or it maybe a M8 sized bolt.

[@Deadbuck73]

@@OutJeeping those are the ones… I will probably revisit them in the spring unless something comes up before then.. appreciate you getting back to me! THANK YOU!!!!

[@Deadbuck73]

And so something has come up… I am in the middle of replacing the leaf springs and one of the hardlines on the axle is leaking…

[@Deadbuck73]

And…. Here I am today doing another cylinder job! My sons liberty is leaking out the right rear cylinder. Good times! 😂

[@ThIzZi31]

Will this work for a 89 xj?

[@OutJeeping]

It should, just make sure you buy the right size brake components for either a 9" or 10" drums, depending what is on your Jeep currently.

[@TheCthtoNicfLy]

OK Chris getting that spring on is a bitch all the springs , how hard is it to go jack some rear disks off of a wj or something,

[@OutJeeping]

It's a little more involved but the ZJ to XJ rear disk swap is fairly popular.

[@CheetahSonic]

the bigger shoe goes toward the rear.

[@majestic1120]

we have the same jack and jack stands. lol

[@michelantoniomorin2201]

💯💯

[@frankbotello9475]

Bro the link for the flare kit doesn’t work

[@OutJeeping]

Should be fixed now

[@frankbotello9475]

@@OutJeeping thank you! Hey what about extended front brake lines? I’m getting the rear 21” you put up but should I go with longer ones up front as well? If so do you have a link for a good deal on a set of those?

[@cherokeebear5302]

Man, I gotta say that it must suck for everyone that lives in an area where salt is used to melt the snow/ice on the roads. Rust will eat your vehicle quick.

[@OutJeeping]

Tell me about it lol

[@techhelp9835]

Video needs more ads.

[@OutJeeping]

I agree

[@tonywestvirginia]

Dude, You need brake tools!

[@CharlieRoamin]

Post Biden - $200.+ !!!