XJ parking brake trouble
 

Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
'89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
on the inside??

Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...

Thanks,
Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

You will have to remove the rear brake drums to release the cables.

Are the cables seized so the arm doesn't pull?

Otherwise maybe you just need to manually adjust the emergency brake.
This is done at the back wheels, not on the cable.

The emergency brake adjuster is a star wheel inside the bottom of the
drums. If you have good rear shoes and a working automatic adjuster,
(cable and star wheel) then you can just go in reverse, hit the brakes,
then forward, then reverse and hit the brakes again. Every change will
use reverse to adjust the star wheels. When you do this the e-brake arm
will get lower and lower until it grabs good.

If this doesn't work, then you can pull the rubber grommet out of the
back of the brake, jack up the wheel and adjust it manually by turning
the star wheel.

If the star wheel won't turn, it needs to be removed and loosened up so
it works. Anti seize is a good thing on the threads so it keeps
working.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's


Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

You will have to remove the rear brake drums to release the cables.

Are the cables seized so the arm doesn't pull?

Otherwise maybe you just need to manually adjust the emergency brake.
This is done at the back wheels, not on the cable.

The emergency brake adjuster is a star wheel inside the bottom of the
drums. If you have good rear shoes and a working automatic adjuster,
(cable and star wheel) then you can just go in reverse, hit the brakes,
then forward, then reverse and hit the brakes again. Every change will
use reverse to adjust the star wheels. When you do this the e-brake arm
will get lower and lower until it grabs good.

If this doesn't work, then you can pull the rubber grommet out of the
back of the brake, jack up the wheel and adjust it manually by turning
the star wheel.

If the star wheel won't turn, it needs to be removed and loosened up so
it works. Anti seize is a good thing on the threads so it keeps
working.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's


Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

You will have to remove the rear brake drums to release the cables.

Are the cables seized so the arm doesn't pull?

Otherwise maybe you just need to manually adjust the emergency brake.
This is done at the back wheels, not on the cable.

The emergency brake adjuster is a star wheel inside the bottom of the
drums. If you have good rear shoes and a working automatic adjuster,
(cable and star wheel) then you can just go in reverse, hit the brakes,
then forward, then reverse and hit the brakes again. Every change will
use reverse to adjust the star wheels. When you do this the e-brake arm
will get lower and lower until it grabs good.

If this doesn't work, then you can pull the rubber grommet out of the
back of the brake, jack up the wheel and adjust it manually by turning
the star wheel.

If the star wheel won't turn, it needs to be removed and loosened up so
it works. Anti seize is a good thing on the threads so it keeps
working.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's


Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

You will have to remove the rear brake drums to release the cables.

Are the cables seized so the arm doesn't pull?

Otherwise maybe you just need to manually adjust the emergency brake.
This is done at the back wheels, not on the cable.

The emergency brake adjuster is a star wheel inside the bottom of the
drums. If you have good rear shoes and a working automatic adjuster,
(cable and star wheel) then you can just go in reverse, hit the brakes,
then forward, then reverse and hit the brakes again. Every change will
use reverse to adjust the star wheels. When you do this the e-brake arm
will get lower and lower until it grabs good.

If this doesn't work, then you can pull the rubber grommet out of the
back of the brake, jack up the wheel and adjust it manually by turning
the star wheel.

If the star wheel won't turn, it needs to be removed and loosened up so
it works. Anti seize is a good thing on the threads so it keeps
working.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's


Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

Hi Tiina,
Usually the emergency brake cables never need adjustment, and
indicates the rear needs brake shoes or one of it's self adjusters is
not working.
Sounds like your car was once in a bad crash, and not completely
realigned.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

Hi Tiina,
Usually the emergency brake cables never need adjustment, and
indicates the rear needs brake shoes or one of it's self adjusters is
not working.
Sounds like your car was once in a bad crash, and not completely
realigned.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

Hi Tiina,
Usually the emergency brake cables never need adjustment, and
indicates the rear needs brake shoes or one of it's self adjusters is
not working.
Sounds like your car was once in a bad crash, and not completely
realigned.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

Hi Tiina,
Usually the emergency brake cables never need adjustment, and
indicates the rear needs brake shoes or one of it's self adjusters is
not working.
Sounds like your car was once in a bad crash, and not completely
realigned.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Tiina wrote:
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
> '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
> brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
> underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
> on the inside??
>
> Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
> replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
>
> Thanks,
> Tiina

Re: XJ parking brake trouble
 

Hi Tiina, welcome to the group!
The crack is probably from poor installation or preparation. If you remove
the windshield trim you should be able to see tiny rubber blocks in the
lower channel of the frame. These are spacers to prevent the windshield from
resting on the steel frame. Another possibility is rust inside the
windshield frame, the swelling of the metal will push against the windshield
and cause it to crack with even the slightest/normal flex of the vehicle. I
wish had a camera handy when I took my Cherokee in to re-seal the windshield
because it was leaking. I asked them to remove the windshield and redo the
base seal. While trying to remove the old caulking the windshield shifted a
hair and cracked. With all the old caulking removed we found swelled/rusted
areas causing an uneven surface - we fixed it and he sold me a new
windshield for $80 and didn't charge a dime for labour for the mishap. Very
decent of him and I was happy share the responsibility. The swelling
occurred on both sides of the bottom channel.
-Brian

"Tiina" <tseres@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:40770B49.7090701@optonline.net...
: Hi All, I'm a newbie to the group so here is my question. I've got a
: '89 Cherokee that just failed the NJ state inspection 'cause my parking
: brake doesn't hold enough. The adjustor nut is rusted to @#$!
: underneath so is there a way i can disconnect the cable from the lever
: on the inside??
:
: Also, are windshield cracks inherent to the unibody? I've already
: replace the windshield once and its got stress cracks again. Help...
:
: Thanks,
: Tiina
: