[dirt machine]

I just put on new shoes and drums. Took a while on the first side, but then I had it figured out and the second side went quickly. The chiltons said that they will adjust themselves automatically when I go forward and stop and reverse and stop like 10-14 times or so.

???

I thought I had to adjust the little starwheel. I went in there with a screwdriver and it seemed really easy to turn one way and hard to turn the other way, so I figured it must be tight. I haven't done the front pads yet, and braking going forward isn't much of an improvement.

However, in reverse, it is braking excellently. I was expecting a bit more out of this though. How do I tighten those puppies up?

Thanks.

[Drew M]

Rears do adjust themselves BUT there are 2 "catches":

1. The shoes need to be adjusted to a point where they grab the drum enough to move the adjuster

2. The adjusters need to be installed in the proper direction so that they tighten when the adjuster tab pushes on them (If installed backwards they can loosen)

Rear brakes only provide 20% of the vehicle's braking power so chances are you won't notice a difference but it sounds like the shoes still need to be adjusted. I usually adjust the shoes until they offer some resistance on the drum when you try to turn it. The wheel shouldn't spin too freely and you should hear the shoe rubbing against the drum.

[dirt machine]

I had the shoes in there pretty tight. So does that little star wheel actually turn by itself?

Also, I think the rear brakes are working pretty well, but still not sure. I am running 31s and it's an 89 so it shouldn't brake very well anyways compared to the newer models, right?

[Drew M]

To be honest I have never been impressed with Cherokee brakes but understand that rear brakes don't do a whole lot so if the brakes were crappy before you put the shoes on then they will probably be crappy afterwards.

Yes the star wheel does turn. There is a metal tab that is attached to a cable which moves it when the shoes are pulled on.

[dirt machine]

So then why did my friend, who also has a cherokee, say that he had to adjust his shoes...he didn't change them or even remove the drum, he just "adjusted them." And also the guy at the brake shop said that he likes drum brakes because they can be adjusted to where I like them? What the hell?

[Drew M]

Rear brake adjusting hardware doesn't always work as intended. See the 2 "catches" I listed above. Additionally a periodic "clean and adjust" of the rears should be performed.

As for adjusting to where you like - that is sort of true. A lot of RWD drag racers will de-adjust rear brakes so they can hold the pedal down to lock the front and do a burnout but the rears aren't doing ****.

[ChewyXJ]

I always manually adjust my drums. Put the rear on jackstands, pull out the rubber plug, turn starwheel till you have slight drag on brakes and your done. The self-adjusters don't work that well in my opinion. Replacing the adjusting tension cable can help, the spring gets worn out after a few years.

[rob92xj]

The best brake mod I have ever done on my XJ was ditch the rear drums for ZJ disks. The shoes have to properly adjusted in order for them to self adjust as stated earlier they also have to have equal amounts of drag against the drum or one side will stop shorted then the other and induce a brake pull. It is not a bad idea to clean and adjust them when you rotates your tires, your brakes will last longer in the long run by keeping them adjusted properly.

[dirt machine]

So do I adjust them when the rear end is up in the air, or can I adjust them when it's on the ground. I don't really like to get under there when it's up on jackstands if I can avoid it.

But just to clarify, I put in a flathead screwdriver and turn the starwheel one way or the other and will I feel the resistance on the starnut or when I am turning the wheel itself. Does the tranny need to be in neutral. Chilton's was not very explanatory at all. It just said "you have an automatic adjuster."

Thanks.

[G.Thomas]

The wheels need to be off the ground so you can spin them to gauge how tight you have adjusted the brake shoes. They make a brake adjusting tool which actually does work better than a screwdriver but a regular screwdriver works in a pinch. You also need another slender screwdriver to hold the adjusting tab up off the star wheel while you turn it since, if it is working properly it prevents you from turning the star wheel in one direction. Tighten the shoes until they stop the tire from spinning, then back them off until you just can feel/hear them lightly dragging while you spin the tire and they should be about right.

Despite their simplicity, I hate working on shoes and drums. I can't wait to do the rear disc brake conversion myself some day.

[dirt machine]

Good information. And yes, these drums are annoying. I was trying to spin the star wheel and it wouldn't go in the direction that I wanted it to...must have been that adjusting tab. I will figure it out. Thanks.