1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Rear Drum Brake Kit For A 73’?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Iandavidh, Sep 3, 2019.

  1. Sep 3, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    Messages:
    398
    So the jeep was acting weird on my drive home and when I got home and pulled the drum broken parts came falling off:cry:

    So I am planning on going with Metcalf's front disk conversion and then getting a stock replacement kit for the rear. But I cannot seem to find a kit for a 1973 for the life of me. The years will go until 1971 and then for whatever reason skip 1972 and 1973 and start right back up at 1974. Why? Do I have to go and nickel and dime every piece for the rears? And how come the parts for the 1974 won’t work on my 73’?

    Thanks for the help.
     
  2. Sep 3, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    I believe the 72-73 rear drums should be the same as the 74....its possible the only difference is the 72-73 used non-finned drums and the later 74-75 used finned drums, but I don't believe there is any difference in the hardware kit or wheel cylinders etc.
     
  3. Sep 3, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2003
    Messages:
    1,201
    I just threw away a front 11" drum setup.
     
  4. Sep 3, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    Messages:
    398
    So I should be fine with a kit for a 74?
     
  5. Sep 3, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Sorry - read the responses and though you wanted disks. The rest of the post might be relevant.

    Do you have a problem with the drum brakes on the rear? You won't gain much by replacing the rear drums with disks. The front brakes do almost all the braking, and the rears just keep the back end in line. Parts for the 11"x2" Bendix brakes are cheap and widely available. Who buys a kit? Just buy the parts you need. Easy.

    Rear disks are a pain, because there's no easy way to arrange a parking brake. Sometimes the El Dorado calipers are used, which as I recall include a cable-operated puck for the parking brake. Reports about the effectiveness of these parts varies, from what I've read.

    AFAIK a '72-3 has no proportioning valve and no fins on the drums. Aftermarket sellers often get the compatibility information wrong. AFAIK there's no reason a disk brake kit compatible with '74 would not also fit a '73, aside from the proportioning valve and drum design.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
    47v6 likes this.
  6. Sep 3, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    Messages:
    398
    I am going with the disks on the front and then just rebuilding the stock rear brakes. My reasoning with getting a drum kit for the rear is that I am going to have to replace everything brakes wise and I thought it would be better to just buy a kit.


    My Jeep has a proportioning valve put on at an unknown time by some previous owner.
     
  7. Sep 3, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Mmm. If you need help picking the parts, I'd be happy to help. Likely the kits for '72-73 don't exist because no one out there thinks it's sufficiently profitable to invest in creating the stock. Inventory costs money. They should only differ from '74-5 in the drum style, and maybe the cylinder diameter.

    Cylinders, spring kit, linings, self-adjuster cable, self-adjuster. That's pretty much everything. You might replace the brake hose between the axle and the body.
     
  8. Sep 3, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    Messages:
    398
    I think I might end up just getting stock replacement parts for both ends and holding out on the disks. My mom isn’t too keen on driving me to and from school everyday. They will just have to wait till another day.

    So I need everything on both ends including drums because they are almost worn all the way down. My brake lines are less than 10 years old as the guy we bought it from replaced them. Whats an estimated cost for all the parts? Is it better to get each individually or buy a complete kit?
     
  9. Sep 3, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    :banghead:
     
  10. Sep 4, 2019
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    This is a popular upgrade for early CJ's... :(
     
  11. Sep 4, 2019
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    The rear brake hardware will come as a kit.
    RockAuto


    Get some shoes, and drums and wheel cylinders if needed.
    That should be all you need.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2019
  12. Sep 4, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    I would also examine the self-adjuster cables, and the self-adjusters too. These parts are not expensive and can wear out.
    1973 JEEP CJ5 5.0L 304cid V8 Drum Brake Self Adjuster Cable | RockAuto
    1973 JEEP CJ5 5.0L 304cid V8 Drum Brake Adjusting Screw | RockAuto

    Remember that left and right are mirror images; follow the picture in the TSM, and front is always front. The adjuster screws are handed too - don't get left and right mixed up. Test the adjuster by squeezing the cable between your fingers and thumb so the lever climbs to the star wheel, and release. This should always tighten the shoes/linings.

    Take your drums to your local parts sotre or machine shop. They can measure them to see if you can reuse them. If so, they will turn (surface) the drums for a nominal charge.
     
  13. Sep 4, 2019
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    ^good call, I forgot about the adjusters.
     
  14. Sep 4, 2019
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    When I put the 11” brakes on the front of my ‘61, got everything from Rock Auto. Just about $200 but a lot of that was shipping. I’m sure if you do your homework, $150 is doable.
     
    Iandavidh likes this.
  15. Oct 9, 2019
    shadetreetim

    shadetreetim Member 2022 Sponsor

    Riverside, Ca -...
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2019
    Messages:
    199
    Thanks for this thread. I wasn't paying attention and ALMOST ordered four identical adjusters. Then I reread the thread before checking out. :beer:
     
    Iandavidh likes this.
  16. Oct 9, 2019
    Fax Ayres

    Fax Ayres New Member

    Charlottesville, VA
    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2019
    Messages:
    3
    I've got two complete 11" rear drum assemblies off of my '74 CJ6. Many of the parts are new. Shoes look good, and so do the drums. PM me if interested.
     
New Posts