Drum Brake Shoes - Rear

This procedure covers the replacement of rear drum brake shoes on the 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK with 3.6L V6 engine, including removal of drums, inspection of hardware, and installation of new shoes.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake shoe set (both sides) × 1 — Use OEM Mopar or equivalent
• Brake hardware kit (springs, clips, retainers) × 1 — Included with most shoe sets or sold separately
• Brake drum (if worn beyond specification) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Mopar DOT 4 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and place transmission in Park (automatic) or 1st gear (manual)
2. Engage parking brake firmly
3. Chock front wheels securely on both sides
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at rear differential or frame-mounted lift points
6. Install jack stands under rear axle housing or frame rails rated for vehicle weight
7. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability before working underneath
8. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside
9. Verify wheel cylinders are not leaking fluid; if leaking, wheel cylinders must be replaced before proceeding

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Pull drum straight off the hub. If drum is stuck due to rust or shoe wear, use a rubber mallet to tap around the outer edge. The parking brake may be holding the drum; if so, access the adjuster through the rubber plug hole on the backing plate and use a brake spoon or screwdriver to rotate the adjuster star wheel upward (to retract shoes). If drum still will not release, use a brake drum puller. Never strike the drum directly with a steel hammer as this can damage it.
2. 2

   Clean and inspect backing plate
   Spray brake cleaner liberally on all brake components, catching runoff with a drain pan. Wipe clean with rags while wearing nitrile gloves. Inspect the backing plate for damage, cracks, or excessive rust. Check wheel cylinder for any signs of leakage (wetness or fluid residue). If wheel cylinder is leaking, it must be replaced before installing new shoes. Inspect brake drum inner diameter for scoring, cracks, or excessive wear; measure against specification (max diameter typically stamped on drum).
   ⚠Use brake cleaner in a well-ventilated area. Avoid breathing vapors.
3. 3

   Document spring and hardware configuration
   Before removing any components, take clear photos of the brake assembly from multiple angles. Note the position of return springs (upper and lower), hold-down springs, adjuster cable, and adjuster mechanism. The 2012-2018 Wrangler rear drums use a leading-trailing shoe design with the parking brake lever attached to the rear (trailing) shoe.
4. 4

   Remove brake shoe return springs
   Using brake spring pliers, remove the upper and lower return springs. These are strong tension springs; control the tool carefully to prevent springs from snapping back. The upper spring typically connects both shoes at the top, while the lower spring connects at the bottom near the adjuster. Remove the adjuster cable spring and unhook the cable from the adjuster lever.
   ⚠Brake return springs are under high tension. Keep fingers clear of release path and wear eye protection.
5. 5

   Remove hold-down springs and pins
   Each brake shoe has a hold-down spring assembly with a cup, spring, and pin that goes through the backing plate. Use brake spring pliers or a hold-down spring tool to compress the cup, rotate it 90 degrees to align with the pin slot, and release. Remove the cup, spring, and pin from both shoes. Keep hardware organized for the correct side.
6. 6

   Disconnect parking brake cable and remove shoes
   Lift the trailing shoe (rear shoe with parking brake lever) and disconnect the parking brake cable from the lever. Remove the adjuster mechanism (star wheel assembly) from between the shoes. Separate both brake shoes from the backing plate. Note which shoe is primary (front/leading) and which is secondary (rear/trailing) as they may be different sizes.
7. 7

   Transfer parking brake lever to new shoe
   Remove the parking brake lever from the old trailing shoe. This is typically held by a horseshoe clip or C-clip. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the retaining clip, slide out the pivot pin, and transfer the lever to the new trailing shoe. Ensure the lever moves freely and install a new retaining clip if provided in the hardware kit.
8. 8

   Clean and lubricate contact points
   Use a wire brush to clean the six shoe contact pads on the backing plate where the shoes rest. Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake lubricant (usually included in hardware kit) to these raised pads only. Do not get lubricant on the shoe friction surface or drum. Clean the adjuster star wheel threads with a wire brush and apply a small amount of high-temp grease to the threads and socket.
9. 9

   Install new brake shoes and adjuster
   Connect the parking brake cable to the lever on the trailing shoe. Position both new shoes on the backing plate. Install the hold-down pins through the backing plate from the rear, then install springs and cups on the front side, compressing and rotating 90 degrees to lock. Place the adjuster mechanism between the shoes at the bottom (star wheel oriented to be accessible through the adjustment hole). Ensure adjuster is fully retracted by rotating star wheel.
10. 10

    Install return springs and adjuster cable
    Install the lower return spring connecting both shoes at the bottom near the adjuster. Install the upper return spring connecting both shoes at the top. Hook the adjuster cable to the anchor pin and connect it to the adjuster lever. Install the adjuster cable spring. Verify all springs are properly seated and hardware matches the reference photos or opposite side. Ensure the adjuster lever can engage the star wheel teeth.
    ⚠Return springs are under high tension when installed. Use proper brake tools and keep hands clear.
11. 11

    Verify shoe installation and install drum
    Check that both shoes are properly positioned on the backing plate pads and that all springs are correctly installed. Verify the adjuster mechanism moves freely. The shoes should be centered on the backing plate. Clean the drum inner surface with brake cleaner if reusing, or install new drum if required. Slide drum over the shoes; it should fit with minimal resistance. If drum will not fit, verify adjuster is fully retracted.
12. 12

    Perform initial brake adjustment
    Through the adjuster access hole in the backing plate (remove rubber plug), use a brake spoon or screwdriver to rotate the adjuster star wheel downward until the drum will not rotate freely. Then back off the adjuster (rotate star wheel upward) 8-10 clicks until the drum rotates with slight drag. This is the initial adjustment; final adjustment occurs during the first brake applications.
13. 13

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1-12 for the opposite rear wheel. Use the completed side as a reference for spring and hardware placement if needed. Ensure both sides are adjusted similarly for balanced braking.
14. 14

    Install wheels and torque lug nuts
    Install rear wheels onto hubs, threading lug nuts by hand to start. Raise vehicle slightly with jack to unload jack stands, remove stands, and lower vehicle until wheels just touch ground (weight still on jack). Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack. Torque lug nuts again in star pattern to final specification to ensure proper seating.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Bed brakes and check fluid level
    Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal several times to verify firm pedal. Pedal should be firm within 3-4 pumps. Check brake fluid reservoir and top off with Mopar DOT 4 brake fluid if needed (fluid level may drop slightly as new shoes seat). With engine running, test brakes at low speed in a safe area. Perform 20-30 gentle stops from 30 mph to bed the new shoes to the drums. Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles.
    ⚠️If brake pedal feels soft, spongy, or goes to the floor, DO NOT DRIVE the vehicle. This indicates air in the system or a component failure requiring immediate attention.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all return springs and hold-down springs are properly seated and match the opposite side configuration
2. Verify adjuster mechanism is correctly positioned and functional on both sides
3. Confirm parking brake cable is properly connected and moves freely
4. Install rubber adjustment hole plugs in backing plates to prevent dirt and moisture entry
5. Double-check wheel lug nuts are torqued to specification in star pattern after vehicle is on ground

Verification

• Pump brake pedal 3-4 times with engine off; pedal should become firm and hold pressure
• Start engine and verify brake pedal does not sink when held under pressure
• Check brake fluid level in reservoir; should be between MIN and MAX marks
• Test drive in safe area at low speed; brakes should engage smoothly without pulling to one side
• Verify parking brake holds vehicle on an incline
• Listen for any unusual noises during braking (grinding, squealing beyond normal new shoe noise)
• After 50-100 miles, re-check wheel lug nut torque and brake adjustment through access holes
• After bedding period (200 miles), braking performance should be normal with no pedal fade or pulling

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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