2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Brakes

[Nate]

Me and my brother did my rear brakes when I first got the truck this past June. Well I've only done a few highway trips, once to Fairbanks in Jul pulling my Jeep. On the trip up to Fairbanks, I kept getting a burning brake smell and I noticed that the driver's side brake was hot compared to the pass side.

On the way back, no smell.



I thought maybe it wasn't adjusted perfect and was dragging a bit. But a few weeks ago, I went out to Eagle River and I had the same smell and hot brake. Hmmm.



The question I have is does it matter what shoe goes where? The shoes I put on where the same lengths as the old ones. I know on some trucks there will be a long and short one. I was reading up on brakes last night and I saw someone mention on a Jeep there is a thick and thin shoe... hmm. Is the case with my truck?? I'm going to check a new set at Napa in the AM to check as well.



Any other ideas?

 

[Nate]

Well apparently there is a thick and thin pad, and they are not the same length. I hate it when I don't notice these things :{



Am I correct in that the longer one would go in the back?

 

[Nate]

Wow, not 1 person on this board has replaced the rear brakes on their truck?

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Why do you need to replace the rear brakes - they should never wear out - just like the engine!



Oh well



Yes, you are correct - just remember "BIG BACK" - big shoe on the back. The thinner/shorter shoe is on the front.



Dan

 

[B.G. Smith]

I haven't replaced mine but I have had the drums off and inspected them. I don't know if one shoe is thicker or longer lining, if so the longer goes on the backside as stated above. Even if one is thicker the arc and diameter would still have to be the same and if the longer is in front it would/should not cause overheating. When new shoes are installed you should let off on the parking brake adjustment as that could cause them to drag. The cables to the parking brake do sometimes bind and cause dragging. Let us know what you find? bg

 

[Nate]

If I remember correctly, the short shoe is thicker.



I know one of them is thicker than the other, as well as one being longer than the other.



I'm thinking that we may have put 2 shorts on 1 side and 2 longs on the other side. We put all new hardware and they were adjusted properly... to the point where there is just to say a bit of drag on the drum with the tire off.



The brakes had been overheated a few times, so the shoes were cracked pretty bad, that's why I replaced them. Had around 146,000 on them, so they lasted for a while if you ask me.