Breaks

Geir,

I've had a similar problem on a YJ and also several other vehicles over the years. When one of the rear brakes tends to lock-up early, I always look for a leaking wheel cylinder. When brake fluid gets into the drum assembly and on the brake shoes, you will experience a lockups.

The brake pads and shoes are easy to change yourself. In total it is about a $50.00 job in parts normally.

One rear wheel grabbing can mean it has some fluid on it. Either from a leaky brake cylinder or from a leaky axle seal. It takes very little.

It also can mean the brake on the other side is way out of adjustment or it can mean the front brakes are worn out so the rear brakes are working too hard.

I got one back wheel locking up on braking when a front wheel bearing went bad and got it a second time when a front brake pad got warped from humidity.

In both those cases, the first hit of the brake pedal only took up the fluid space to compress the front pad back to the rotor, not squeeze so the rear brakes did all the work. When I hit the pedal fast a second time (pumping them), then the front brakes worked and the rear didn't lock up.

This just started again a couple days ago my wife tells me. I drove it to the store yesterday and at the first stop, screech goes one back wheel. I am betting humidity got to the pads again. Gotta check it out this week.

Oh, by the by, no, Cherokee's do 'not' have bad brakes that need a $3000.00 rip off 'fix'.

Mike

"Geir R.Petterss>

Geir R.Pettersson did pass the time by typing:

Technically, its BRAKES. Brakes make your car stop. The car will not stop when the brakes break.

If you have no idea what they rebuild, you should not attempt the repairs yourself.