What's wrong with my brakes?

[speeding_infraction]

Ok, so when I first got my jeep, the brakes were awesome. Good pedal feel, good stopping power etc. After my first wheeling trip, the pedal became super soft, and slow to return, and braking performance suffered majorly. The front brakes are in good shape and can stall the jeep on jackstands if I'm in 4 high. However, even if I put both feet on the brake pedal, in 2 high on jackstands, it doesn't even come close to slowing the engine down. I've tried adjusting them pretty far but haven't had any luck with that. Should I just convert to discs and forget about it, or should actually fix the problem?
Not sure where to start, but I'm getting pretty frustrated at this point.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Hmmm. I bet someone on here knows.

 

[speeding_infraction]

I was hoping the wizard would chime in. I haven't looked at brake lines, because the P.O. had extended stainless lines put in recently. Supposedly it has had all new rear brakes installed in the last 2k miles, I've put about 800 on it. The other thing is that occasionally I'll regain pedal feel and the brakes will work great, until I use them again.

 

[Hopper]

I would think since they sometimes work air in the lines or a leak. Maybe check realy good for leaks and do a proper bleed on all the four corners

 

[noodles93]

You dig the rear end into mud at all? Had an issue with a soft pedal after mud that caked my rear drum completely freezing it.

 

[John Cooper]

You dig the rear end into mud at all? Had an issue with a soft pedal after mud that caked my rear drum completely freezing it.

 

[speeding_infraction]

You dig the rear end into mud at all? Had an issue with a soft pedal after mud that caked my rear drum completely freezing it.

Uh ... Yeah lol

Well, I pulled off the drums again, I'm not sure what the PO meant by rebuilt but I'm pretty sure they're full of shit:

There's no way the shoes could have worn over 50% in the last 2k miles. Gonna get a rebuild kit and go from there, unless anyone else has any ideas.

 

[speeding_infraction]

I bet the wheel cylinders are frozen too, they definitely weren't replaced and the bleeder screws are seized.

 

[John Cooper]

Uh ... Yeah lolView attachment 663364

Well, I pulled off the drums again, I'm not sure what the PO meant by rebuilt but I'm pretty sure they're full of shit:
View attachment 663366
There's no way the shoes could have worn over 50% in the last 2k miles. Gonna get a rebuild kit and go from there, unless anyone else has any ideas.

How many times do I have to tell you, young Skywalker.........

 

[mrblaine]

I was hoping the wizard would chime in. I haven't looked at brake lines, because the P.O. had extended stainless lines put in recently. Supposedly it has had all new rear brakes installed in the last 2k miles, I've put about 800 on it. The other thing is that occasionally I'll regain pedal feel and the brakes will work great, until I use them again.

Sounds like you should start with a good bleed and see if that changes anything. If you are expecting the rear brakes to do much, you'll spend a lot of time and effort to wind up with them still not doing much.

 

[noodles93]

This was my passenger side it was totally frozen. It was honestly just easier to replace it all instead of trying to troubleshoot. Also adjusting them tight made the pedal feel great, engages right away.

 

[mrblaine]

unless anyone else has any ideas.

2 actually, never believe what a seller says and stay out of the fucking mud.

 

[speeding_infraction]

Sounds like you should start with a good bleed and see if that changes anything. If you are expecting the rear brakes to do much, you'll spend a lot of time and effort to wind up with them still not doing much.

I was expecting the rear brakes to stall the engine, when in first/reverse, and the handbrake to do the same thing when engaged. I was starting to get to that point with the adjusters, but pedal return was still slow.

stay out of the fucking mud.

Ah, you're no fun lol. Plus, it's Tennessee, the only pace there isn't mud is on the street, which we know isn't where any jeep belongs. But once, just once, I'd like to go on a trip without mud. I can dream, right

 

[John Cooper]

I was expecting the rear brakes to stall the engine, when in first/reverse, and the handbrake to do the same thing when engaged. I was starting to get to that point with the adjusters, but pedal return was still slow.



Ah, you're no fun lol. Plus, it's Tennessee, the only pace there isn't mud is on the street, which we know isn't where any jeep belongs. But once, just once, I'd like to go on a trip without mud. I can dream, right

Come wheel with us sometime. There maybe mud but you don't have to get in it.

Coppinger Cove, I was the only trusting soul and paid the heavy heavy price for it.

 

[speeding_infraction]

Come wheel with us sometime. There maybe mud but you don't have to get in it.

Coppinger Cove, I was the only trusting soul and paid the heavy heavy price for it.

View attachment 663382View attachment 663383View attachment 663384

View attachment 663385View attachment 663386

I'll definitely try and get out there at some point, maybe I can also wint ROTM by drowning my jeep worth it?

 

[lBasket]

I'll definitely try and get out there at some point, maybe I can also wint ROTM by drowning my jeep worth it?

Yes that will definitely win you definitely should do it

 

[John Cooper]

I'll definitely try and get out there at some point, maybe I can also wint ROTM by drowning my jeep worth it?

Worth it......... well yes and no. The prizes are worth it.

The cleaning and crap still falling on my face every time I'm under it no way in hades.

In reality it's part of wheeling in our part of the country, you just don't have to search for it like I did.

 

[GregBelleville]

Yes that will definitely win you definitely should do it

Just make sure you get it in landscape format or @Zorba will be all over you.

 

[speeding_infraction]

Ok... Shouldn't it just pop out? The last dana 44 I worked on, the axle slid right out. Is there a way to tell if it's c clip or not without pulling the diff cover?

 

[John Cooper]

Yes after you take the retainer plate bolts out, the axle should slide out.