Rear parking brake difficult to engage

pjmcg

pjmcg

New Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2021
Messages
7
Location
Philadelphia area
Hey there, new TJ owner, first time posting here. Hope someone can offer some advice.

Bought my 03 TJ with a rear disc conversion done, Dana44 rear from the factory. Rear axle seal was leaking and upon tearing things apart found oil has coated the rear parking brake shoes and pads - so new ones are going in.

While in there, I wanted to investigate why the parking brake is so hard to pull up. My daughter is learning to drive it and can't pull it up all the way. It's just way more difficult than it should be. With the cables disconnected there is no resistance elsewhere in the system (lever, cables, etc.) and I noticed there are two heavy springs on each side that help retract the shoes. All new parts were used by the PO but none of the receipts he gave me tell me what parts he used.

Can anyone identify if this rear disc conversion was done in a typical way? Or can I remove one of these springs or replace with a softer spring? I might just try removing one from each side anyway to see if that helps - easy enough to do. I figure removing the outside one.

Thanks for any thoughts


IMG_3595.jpg


IMG_3596.jpg
 
pjmcg said:
Hey there, new TJ owner, first time posting here. Hope someone can offer some advice.

Bought my 03 TJ with a rear disc conversion done, Dana44 rear from the factory. Rear axle seal was leaking and upon tearing things apart found oil has coated the rear parking brake shoes and pads - so new ones are going in.

While in there, I wanted to investigate why the parking brake is so hard to pull up. My daughter is learning to drive it and can't pull it up all the way. It's just way more difficult than it should be. With the cables disconnected there is no resistance elsewhere in the system (lever, cables, etc.) and I noticed there are two heavy springs on each side that help retract the shoes. All new parts were used by the PO but none of the receipts he gave me tell me what parts he used.

Can anyone identify if this rear disc conversion was done in a typical way? Or can I remove one of these springs or replace with a softer spring? I might just try removing one from each side anyway to see if that helps - easy enough to do. I figure removing the outside one.

Thanks for any thoughts


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The springs are not the issue. Look elsewhere.
 
Got everything back together (new axles, seals and bearings) and found no issues with the parking brake that would cause any more resistance - many of the parts were new. Decided to just use one spring on each parking brake and I'm much happier with the effort to pull up the lever. If you use one spring and attach it to the round holes (pictured) vs. the small tabs, the spring will be under enough tension to do its job.

IMG_3596 (1).jpg
 
Those conversions do use double return springs located in those tangs/straps on the shoe backing. Factory has one spring that uses the holes. Double check your work. Check for proper adjustment.

Make sure the brake holds vehicle. It should hold when releasing clutch, even with slight accelerator pressure.
Make sure shoes move properly from engaged to released positions.
Make sure you have properly cleaned and greased pad to backing contact areas.

Make sure your daughter does her upper body arm strengthening exercises to be able to work the brake lever.
It would be bad to watch your Jeep roll down those mean streets of Philly!!
 
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