11 inch brake woes

So being new to the CJ upgrade world, I bought a kit at Jungle Jim's for the 11 inch brake upgrade.

The trouble is, it doesn't fit. The drums had a smaller center, unable to fit over the hub centers. SO, I visited a machinist friend. Drums centers now fit.

NOW, the problem is when I put the drums on, I can still see some pads showing.

So I'm convinced the backing plates are all wrong, maybe to a Jeep pickup or something.

I have searched through the forum and looked at all the possible combinations for drums via the NAPA site. Today I went to NAPA and looked at the drums people spec in the tech library, they look like they might fit "better", but 1/2 inch of pad will still probably just be covered.

grrr.. I'm about ready to put the 9 inchers back on.



Anyone got any ideas as to what I have or can make it work? Should I start over again (this is the second vendor who has shipped a crap kit to me)?

 

can the drum be mounted on the other side of the hub to compensate for the offset ?

 

HOORAY!!! Just by eye I think that might work on the back!

Running out to the shop to see if the fronts work!

Thank you everyone!

This has been 6 long months of long weekends with my jeep being 350 miles away from where I live / work!

 

Doesn't the backing plate mount to the outside of the spindle? You got yours on wrong. That would account for the drum seeming to be too far out.

 

yes. spindle then backing plate.

 

That was your first mistake right there. Caveat emptor.

 

Interestingly, I contacted about 4 vendors, 2 local, and 2 online. Most of the places I contacted said "I can throw a kit together, but it will take a few weeks"... The first vendor I waited 3 months... I'm not sure why these backing plates are so hard to come by out here. I had to sign for them when they got here. I've heard local vendors are actually importing them from Canada! This guy wouldn't answer my questions though. (ECJ5 forum-- )

Anyway, first time out, this kit worked fine, other than my mistake about the hub / drum order, these brakes are AWESOME. I can lock up all 4 BFGs (33x12.5's) on my gravel driveway easily with about 1-2 inches of pedal. Most impressively, I can lock em up on pavement too, but I like to not eat steering wheel! R)

Also, I can easily fit my stock (well they came with the jeep and look stock) 16 inch wheels, I even am running cragar 15 inch "soft 8s" with tons of clearance. I don't have any wheel fitment problems with these particular style drums. They say "212174-C" on em. I'll go measure something if someone cares, and my local NAPA cross referenced all the parts for me (they like me). Really, I can't say enough for my NAPA. They shipped parts I didn't even buy just measure em and to help out!

One gotcha is that the kit didn't include the "S" pipes; my old hoses hit the kingpins. I also picked up some proper hoses and an adapter at NAPA.

Second gotcha is that you will need small adapters for the "S" pipes for the flair fittings. NAPA receipt says PN "WH 1441"

Third gotcha is don't use the supplied bolts in the kit on the front backing plates. While they are grade 8, they are short and those knuckle threads are soft. Thanks PO.

Fourth gotcha is that the kit doesn't include any metal hangers for the knuckles S pipes.. But why would it because it doesn't include any hose hook up hardware....

They aren't self adjusting either, and the adjusters were adjusted by people with mis-adjusted adjustable wrenches (round corners).. Next time I'll just piece it together myself.

I could whine about how the backing plates weren't new, and I had to clean them up quite a bit, and they were exceedingly pricy, but I actually feel ok about driving my Jeep in Seattle now.

Well... that was long post. But also thanks everyone for the assistance given (and quietly searched for) here.

 

Spindles were fine; My mistake was with regard to the drums and the hub order of assembly.

What I learned:

On my stock 9 inchers, the hubs are pressed in from the inside (Spindle Backingplate Hub Drum). On (this) 11 inch kit, one should press them in on the outside (Spindle Backingplate Drum Hub).

I just put it back together the way it looked like it was when it came off the Jeep. Who would think to do it backwards?

Ahh... Learning is fun. R)

 

FYI: your 11" brakes are from a truck/wagon and NOT self adjusting.

the self adjusting look like these.

 

Did you do all four? I just got rid of a coupe 11" brakes last spring. I would have given them to you.

<Thinking> Maybe my brother has a set?

 

Thanks man, I think I am ok though, but I'm sure a few other young Jeepers could use em!.

I emptied the mayo jar and got all 4 corners, and they seem to work ok for now. I wish the corners on the small adjusting bolts were a little less rounded and worn out.

I think next time I'll just post an ECJ5 wanted ad.. D'oh!

 

Those are the old Lockheed non self adjusting brakes like was said from a Wagon or Pickup.
Did you contact R&P? They are just south of Portland so aren't too far away and usually stock these unless out of backing plates. They sell a kit for around $275 with all new or rebuilt parts (per axle)...... Nickmil

 

Hey that place looks great, I'll have to check it out! I didn't even know they existed, and I grew up in Oregon. That is about 45 min away from my parents house where the Jeep is..

Thanks!!!

Website I found here: ( http://www.r-p4wd.com/site/products.htm )

 

De nada!
We always joke that they are the best kept secret in the areaR)
If you get down to the Portland area contact me. Maybe we can meet for a or something....
Nickmil