OEM 2006 Jeep Wrangler Brake Drum

2006 Jeep Wrangler Brake Drum Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Machine and Maintain Brake Drums on 2006 Jeep Wrangler?

  A: Drum lathes are used to machine brake drums when necessary and to keep taper and variations at a minimum, the first cuts should not be more than 0.12 to 0.20 mm (0.005 to 0.008 in.). Final finish cuts of around 0.025 to 0.038 mm (0.001 to 0.0015 in.) are recommended for a good surface. Strap the drum to the lathe with a damper so it stays put and does not shake excessively. Drums are only allowed to be machined up to the maximum diameters stamped or cast in their outsides; exceeding this is cause for replacement. Avoid using strong cleaning agents; only damp a cloth in water and use it or a proper brake cleaner, on your brake support plate and wheel cylinder. Fine sandpaper can remove the light rust and scale on your brake shoe contact pads. Brake shoes held in place by rivets should be exchanged as soon as they get within 0.78 mm (1/32 in.) of the rivet heads and shoes with bonded linings should be rid of when the lining is 1.6 mm (1/16 in.) thin. Bent shoes and tapered drums can be spotted on the lining, so ensure that there is liners on both sides of the shoes and choose new shoes if one side is missing; check the drum for runout or taper. If either the star wheel assembly or the adjustment screw assembly is rusted or broken, simply replace it. Throw out brake springs and retainer pieces if they appear unsafe and replace brake springs if your vehicle brakes fail to release because heat may have damaged them. Look at the contact pads for the shoes on the support plate and if any are worn or rusted or if the plate itself is bent or distorted, replace the whole plate.