ZJ: Help - my e-brake acts up

[TOOLman]

This afternoon, when I started my ZJ in the parking garage, there was a horrible sound from the rear passenger side as I put the tranny in Drive and started to move. It felt "stuck", too. I shifted into Neutral and back into Drive, and it did the same again. I gave it some more gas, and could feel something giving as my Jeep skipped forward. Then it felt normal again.

A few minutes later, I pulled out onto the highway at the bottom of an up-hill. There was some traffic coming from the left, so I pushed the pedal to accelerate up the hill. Suddenly there was a weird flapping rythmic noise, as if something was caught in one of the rear wheels. I let off the gas and drove slowly up the hill, and the noise went away. As soon as I could, I pulled into a bus stop and went out to see if I could spot the problem. Nothing visible.

I drove carefully, with the radio off to be able to hear any new noise that might appear. Nothing. As I stopped for shopping, I noticed that the e-brake felt very weird. I could pull the lever all the way up, with virtually no resistance.

When I came home, I went under the truck to look for any problem, but I couldn't see anything. The e-brake wires seem OK. The only comfort here is that it didn't happen yesterday, just before my vehicle inspection...

Does anyone have an idea what to look for? Do I have to tear into the brakes? I need to do some 150 miles of driving this weekend, on isolated dirt roads through very desolate country with almost no traffic. I don't want the ZJ to break down in the middle of nowhere, especially since the cell phone coverage is virtually nil in those parts.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[flip]

almost sounds like your e-brake grenaded. not sure if that's possible though. do you have rear discs or drums? i know that with disc brakes, the e-brake-"drum" brake pads are very prone to cracking.

[TOOLman]

I have discs all around.

This is getting weirder.
This morning, as I backed my ZJ out of my garage, there was a loud clunk. Then, when I tried the e-brake, it was back to normal again! I'd like to know what happened, though, in case it's a sign of serious trouble. I guess I'll have to remove the rear wheels and look closer to the brakes.

Thanks for the info about the cracking pads. I didn't know about that.

[Howler]

I don't kow if this will help but I'll share anyway. I know that if the e-brake is stuck then you are to put your vehiclw into reverse in order to release it. Maybe it is just sticking and that is why you had no resistence when you applied it. Maybe the cable could use a lube?
Howler

[TOOLman]

That was what I thought at first. It felt just like the e-brake was stuck on the passenger side wheel. But that doesn't explain the rhytmic, flapping sound that occurred later on?

I'll take a better look this weekend. Thanks for your input.

[Zac]

That was what I thought at first. It felt just like the e-brake was stuck on the passenger side wheel. But that doesn't explain the rhytmic, flapping sound that occurred later on?

I'll take a better look this weekend. Thanks for your input.

Tommy: I understand that the ebrake is prone to delaminating, especially in the colder/moisture rich climes. (Canada, New England, Sweden.)

Others have noticed it acting up in situations were their lockers would be engaging, or the ABS would be acting funny. You may want to pull it apart and check it.

Zac

[flip]

just so you know, your e-brake is a drum inside your disc brake rotor. have to take off the rotor to see the pads. you might have already known that, but i just found out a few weeks ago, so i thought i'd share.

jonathan

[TOOLman]

flip - I actually knew that, but thanks anyway.

When I came home today, it felt weird again. The lever goes almost to the vertical position with very little resistance. The e-brake is not "stuck", i.e. it's not applied. I definitely have to dig into it, I think. I'm a bit worried tampering with the brakes, though. I wouldn't want to screw it up and lose the brakes in an emergency...

[TOOLman]

I removed a rear disc today, to take a look at the e-brake pads. Check the attached JPG file and you'll see what I found. Mystery solved.

Many thanks for your help guys, you were right on.

Is it difficult to replace these? Do I need to let a mechanic do it? Removing the disc was easy, but there seemed to be an awful lot of springs and stuff in there holding the remains of the e-brake mechanism.

[XtremeXJ]

Ok I was going to say replace your brake shoes but after that photo you can see that you need to already. Did you say you had disc all around? I can say that I dont know to much about rear disc as I have never even seen them. No they arent hard. I used to put the rear end up on stands and pull off both wheels and do one side at a time. That way if I cant remember how one side goes on I can go look at the other side and see. Just remember everything is on the opposite side as you switch from wheel to wheel. And remember to soak it down with brake cleaner to keep all that dirt from grinding away at the new shoes. Good Luck XXJ

[TOOLman]

Thanks.

I picked up a set of new pads today. What do they makes these of - pure gold? I had expected something like $30-40, but they were $120! Just Empty Every Pocket...:rolleyes:

[XtremeXJ]

Ouch!! Hope my wifes last a looooong time.

[TOOLman]

I replaced the e-brake pads today. Wow, what a difference! It was easy, even for a technically challenged person like myself. I'm going to do a little write-up on my web page, for other insecure DYI'ers out there. It will (hopefully) be available sometime next week.

[XtremeXJ]

I look forward to the write up!

[TOOLman]

There is now a short write-up on this procedure on http://TOOLmanJeep.homestead.com/files/ebrake.html if someone's interested. I'd appreciate any feedback on it.

Do you think it's worthwhile to do this stuff? Not for the gurus out there, of course, but maybe for other technical newbies who need some info on how to do simple repairs or mods?

[Jerry Falletta]

Tommy,

Glad to see that your e-brake problem is solved. Those shoes have been a problem on the ZJ for several years. I had it happen with a 1995 ZJ with 39,000 miles; the dealer replaced them under warranty after a call to the Chrysler hot-line. The same thing happened to my 1996 ZJ; the dealer replaced them while straightening a bent arm :confused: which caused the e-brake to not hold at all (the cable was loose because of this).

The idea of having e-brake shoes inside the "hat" of the rotor is OK, but the quality of the original shoes is less than great. Supposedly, they are available from aftermarket sources, but said to be difficult to find. Yours should last many years.

Jerry

[XtremeXJ]

Nice write up!! Very informative and detailed. I think it would be a good idea to write up anything one does on his Jeep because we all start somewhere and usually with lots of questions. What about pics? I know its not easy to get pics online for some people, its just a thought.Great Job!!! XXJ

[TOOLman]

Thanks, XXJ!
That was my idea: small write-ups on mods I've done (and will do), and on repairs.
I'm not a skilled mechanic myself, and I'm kind of apprehensive of tinkering with my daily driver (and only means of transportation), especially critical thinks like the brakes. I suppose there are others like that out there, so if I describe what I've successfully done, maybe it can help someone else in the same situation.

Thanks for the feedback.