F'd up while working on drum brakes. Help?

Chris Fix is a badass... only reason I could afford to own a 2000 Jeep XJ (in 2015).

 

Have any misalignment in the parking brake strut or levers?

 

There is really nothing to the cylinder... inside the housing are two opposing pistons, each with an internal rubber seal around the shaft and a light weight spring inbetween them. Brake fluid provides outward pressure, make sure you have relived that pressure by opening or removing the blender valve and open the reservoir cap (two holes go into the housing, main brake line and blender valve). If you have removed the fluid pressure and still can’t push the pistons back in, then something is misaligned and that would be obvious (like the inner seal would be visible with the outer boots removed, or the shaft would wobble or fall out). If you can see the inner seals, you will need to rebuild or replace the cylinder to prevent future leaks.

At this point, I suggest removing the cylinder if you can’t get all components aligned while mounted... watch a few YouTube videos, it’s not a difficult process just a PITA)... good luck!

 

Alright guys so after a while (and the help of the girlfriend who was sick of me huffing and puffing all night), I think we got it.

Basically ended up as a last resort putting a c-clamp (actually a caliper piston spreader) over the left cylinder and a notch in the right cylinder. Opened the bleed valve, and began turning the clamp. At one point the left piston snapped back into the cylinder and some brake fluid squirted out the bleed valve. Had her sit in the truck and pull the e-brake up and down a few times and both shoes move back and forth as they should it seems like.

Below is how it looks right now. Anything else I should do before putting the drum cover back on? Some of you mentioned bleeding the rear brakes afterwards but what is the goal in doing so? Not sure I understand the basic theory behind bleeding brakes in general.

Regardless though, I'd like to thank every single one of you very much for your input on this. As simple and probably laughable as this probably is to some of you, I could not have made any progress without your help. Cheers!

 

You said in an earlier post that you are taking this on a trip.

Do yourself a favor and while the things you did might work out...take it to Brakes Plus or some other local person to check what you did.

If you don't understand "Brake Bleeding" that is OK but anytime you introduce ANY sort of air or contaminates into the system you are asking for trouble when you need them the most!

I applaud you for taking this on but do yourself a favor and take it to somewhere that can actually test it for you.

 

Bleeding removes air from the brake lines...air makes the brake soft...just make sure you keep the reservoir filled with brake fluid when doing it.

 

Did you bleed that brake? Looks good from pick. Keep an eye on it for fluid loss just in case seal got damaged. Good job.

 

I opened the valve a few times as I tried some different things, so a decent amount of fluid did come out. Then like I said, when it finally popped back into place, a good stream squirted out of the valve too. But other than that, I didn't do any other bleeding. Should I have? The reservoir under the hood is still full.

 

Looks good OP... return the drum and have your GF assist with bleeding the brakes (removes the air in the line). Pump the brakes with the bleed valve closed, hold the brake pedal down, slowly open the bleed until the brake pedal hits the floor... close the valve and repeat until nothing but fluid comes out in a steady stream. Initially you will hear air and see gaps in the fluid stream. Once you’ve completed that, replace the tire and top off the brake fluid in the reservoir... nice job, we were all pulling for you!

 

You should bleed the brakes. If you have to drive the way it is you may have a soft pedal till you do so be ready. Stated above is how. Do it asap tho.

 

to OP.....BE sure to do this....enough said. Again if you are unsure of this or have never done this based on you post about taking a trip....PLEASE take it somewhere. Most local shops or chains will give you some good advice on this.

Just want you safe!

 

Yes!

But He is new to brake issues. Soft pedal can be an issue but after all of his issues there may be a "tad bit" more air then he is expecting. Pumping brakes and trying to get around that with family or others on the road could be a HUGE issue....maybe trying to avoid a crash or simply missing a child on a crosswalk. Seriously, take it to someone if you are not familiar with it. You can get 1000 posts about how to do it but OP if you are not familiar with it, just take it somewhere to have them "recheck" your work.

I am not trying to discount all the HUGE efforts you did but just have someone, maybe a buddy that knows brakes, take a look at it. Just my 2.5 cents......I have done brakes on my Jeep and on many other vehicles....if you do not know the issues then simply have someone else check them out.

Great job tackling it yourself but PLEASE have them checked.

 

I am going to do it now with the help of the GF, but I will absolutely have it looked it tomorrow just to be safe and will drive carefully and keep an eye on the reservoir too. Thank you so much.

 

Awesome! Sent you a PM

 

Test that the brake stays firm and the reservoir level does not lower by pressing the brakes 10 times, and then checking the reservoir once you have bled the brakes and have everything back together. This is your fail safe... do this before ever moving the vehicle after any brake work.

 

This thread was much better than Wednesday night TV.

 

Agreed, plus I just like helping someone when I can as I've been there with other issues. If I can't help I just watch for the outcome to learn...

 

You guys were life savers. Thank you again. Did the bleeding procedure with the girlfriend, though didn’t seem to get any air bubbles at all. Right off the bat nothing but a steady stream came out. Took her for a careful drive down the road (I live in the boonies) and stopped many many times. I really think the rear brakes were doing nothing for the past year because it stops so much better now. Also doesn’t nose dive like it did before.

I only needed to bleed that rear left drum right? Not all 4 corners?

Regardless will be dropping her off at a shop right next to my work tomorrow so they can look it over during the day just for safety. Maybe wouldn’t hurt to have them throw new cylinders in there just for fun?

 

Just so you understand OP:

The reason you must bleed the brakes is air is much more compressible than brake fluid:

When you step on the brake pedal, you want all of the hydraulic force pressing the shoes and pads against the rotors and drums, not compressing air bubbles in the hydraulic system.

Typically when bleeding brakes you would have a hose into a jar of brake fluid. When no more bubbles come out the hose, the brakes are bled. The reason for the jar of fluid is so you don’t keep sucking air back into the system during the process.

^^This step isn’t necessary in an emergency, trailside fix, but is part of doing the job properly.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n1NvtUwfRJc

 

Alcohol involved by any chance?