pauldo39
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Madison, WI
I'll be the first to admit that brake drum systems are not my specialty (and if I keep my XJ long enough, which I intend to, I want to convert to rear discs).
About 2.5 months ago, I had the entire rear brake system redone (new drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, adjustment kit) for a really good price at Midas, as the entire system was literally gone beforehand. So besides my front discs having a tiny bit of squeaking, my brakes were silent during operation.
But maybe 2-3 weeks ago, I heard what sounded like a creaking spring, being severely stretched (like opening a screen door to it's limit) every time I pushed down maybe 40% of the pedal and more. It was clearly coming from the rear, and making a short, high pitched squeak if I let up the brake suddenly, like it was popping back. It's especially noticeable inside the vehicle. I took it back to Midas and told them about the noise, and they took a look at it and said they took it apart, put it back together and found nothing wrong. Strangely enough, the sound disappeared when I took it back.
Alas, the sound is back now. I crawled under the back while someone pumped the brakes and it looks like where the brake line goes into the rear could be causing the squeak, but not the creaking spring sound. If I leave the parking brake slightly engaged, the sound is nowhere near as obvious, but still there, so maybe something is loosely adjusted?
Does anyone have any ideas? I would be grateful for some advice because I know so little about drum brakes and no idea what really to tell Midas to look for. It's understandable they can't hear the sound, because it isn't that loud and their shop is on a really busy highway. Also is their perhaps something on the axle itself that could be moving under the brake pressure?
About 2.5 months ago, I had the entire rear brake system redone (new drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, adjustment kit) for a really good price at Midas, as the entire system was literally gone beforehand. So besides my front discs having a tiny bit of squeaking, my brakes were silent during operation.
But maybe 2-3 weeks ago, I heard what sounded like a creaking spring, being severely stretched (like opening a screen door to it's limit) every time I pushed down maybe 40% of the pedal and more. It was clearly coming from the rear, and making a short, high pitched squeak if I let up the brake suddenly, like it was popping back. It's especially noticeable inside the vehicle. I took it back to Midas and told them about the noise, and they took a look at it and said they took it apart, put it back together and found nothing wrong. Strangely enough, the sound disappeared when I took it back.
Alas, the sound is back now. I crawled under the back while someone pumped the brakes and it looks like where the brake line goes into the rear could be causing the squeak, but not the creaking spring sound. If I leave the parking brake slightly engaged, the sound is nowhere near as obvious, but still there, so maybe something is loosely adjusted?
Does anyone have any ideas? I would be grateful for some advice because I know so little about drum brakes and no idea what really to tell Midas to look for. It's understandable they can't hear the sound, because it isn't that loud and their shop is on a really busy highway. Also is their perhaps something on the axle itself that could be moving under the brake pressure?