‘98 XJ Brake Issues

[rstickley]

I’m working on a ‘98 4x4 XJ rear brakes. I have replaced my drums, shoes, all hardware, wheel cylinders, and hose from body to axle. Bled system. With the adjuster fully closed, I installed drums without any resistance and can turn by hand(transfer case in N). If I put the lug nuts on and tighten, I can no longer turn drum. I marked the inside surfaces and ran in gear. Drums got to 200* and 160*. Only place rubbing in drum is where the shoes are supposed to. Once I loosen lugs I can turn by hand again. Adjuster is still loose, park brake is loose and drum slides off/ on easy. Any ideas? I’m loosing my mind.

 

[Mancunian]

New drum out of tolerance ? Rubbing on backplate?
Try old drum to see if it is free when torqued up

 

[rstickley]

New drum out of tolerance ? Rubbing on backplate?
Try old drum to see if it is free when torqued up

Old drums do the same thing. I marked the inside of drums with a sharpie, even in the groove where the backing plate is, and nothing is touching.

 

[don87401]

This may sound silly but are the shoes on backwards? I don't know about your particular set up but some can be installed backward and not work right.

 

[rstickley]

This may sound silly but are the shoes on backwards? I don't know about your particular set up but some can be installed backward and not work right.

The rear shoe of the set can only go on one way because of the park break leaver and the self adjuster. I even swapped the front shoe from left to right and same results.

 

[Mancunian]

Something distorting?

Could you put the drums on 'backwards' and see if torquing the nuts is the issue?
Or remove the shoes and try.

Always thought an XJ was a Jag

 

[don87401]

Maybe a miss marked set of shoes. Wrong shoes in the wrong box! Do they match up with the old shoes?