JeepXJ93 said:
ok, i'll be sure to have the vice grips handy, as for bleeding the lines...all i have to do is pull the line off after getting the nut to loosen and then let the fluid drain, reconnect and then fill it back up??? Never done it before.
The advice to find someone who has done brakes before is wise. I´ve done a bunch of brakes and still managed to screw one up, not long ago, rushing.
I usually keep a piece of paper towel (small) rolled into a cone shape (small) to stick in the end of the brake line, when it´s off of the wheel cylinder, jam it in there with a toothpick (not too hard). Or try to let as little brake fluid leak out as possible.
Seem to remember Haynes had a decent section on brake bleeding. The trick is to keep as much fluid in the lines as possible. Let the air out of the bleeder valve, while lightly applying the brakes, when the pedal gets to the bottom, lightly tighten the bleeder, never let the brake pedal move up with the bleeder open (or it will suck air), always make sure the master cylinder is near full and the lid is on the master clylnder when pushing the brakes.
If the XJ has ABS, whatever you do, don´t turn on the key with the lines off. If you loose too much fluid and have to bleed the ABS system, it can be a real pain.
I usually use a piece of rubber tubing (that fits over the nipple of the bleeder valve) and a glass jar, to catch the fluid that comes out fo the bleeder valve. Brake fluid can mess with your paint and makes a mess.
The last time I replced the wheel brake cylinders, I did it in two sittings. Changed the wheel brake cylinders one day and did the brakes the next. You can change the wheel brake cylinder, by removing the brake return springs and prying the shoes outword, without removing the whole works (all of the brake parts). Just have to line up the brake cylinder yokes and the parking brake link, to push the shoes back into position again.