
produce a condition similar to grab as the tire loses
and recovers traction.
Flat-spotted tires can cause vibration and wheel
tramp and generate shudder during brake operation.
A tire with internal damage such as a severe bruise
or ply separation can cause vibration and pull. The
pull will be magnified when braking.
DIAGNOSING PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS
Adjustment Mechanism
Parking brake adjustment is controlled by a ca-
ble tensioner mechanism. The cable tensioner,
once adjusted at the factory, will not need further
attention under normal circumstances. There are
only two instances when adjustment is required.
The first is when a new tensioner, or cables have
been installed. And the second, is when the ten-
sioner and cables are disconnected for access to
other brake components.
Parking Brake Switch And Warning Light Illumination
The parking brake switch on the lever, or foot
pedal, is in circuit with the red warning light. The
switch will illuminate the red light only when the
parking brakes are applied. If the light remains on
after parking brake release, the switch or wires are
faulty, or cable tensioner adjustment is incorrect.
If the red light comes on while the vehicle is in mo-
tion and brake pedal height decreases, a fault has oc-
curred in the front or rear brake hydraulic system.
Parking Brake problem Causes
In most cases, the actual cause of an improperly
functioning parking brake (too loose/too tight/wont
hold), can be traced to a drum brake component.
The leading cause of improper parking brake
operation, is excessive clearance between the
brakeshoes and the drum surface. Excessive
clearance is a result of: lining and/or drum
wear; oversize drums; or inoperative shoe ad-
juster components.
Excessive parking brake lever travel (sometimes de-
scribed as a loose lever or too loose condition), is the re-
sult of worn brakeshoes/drums, improper brakeshoe
adjustment, or incorrectly assembled brake parts.
A ``too loose'' condition can also be caused by inop-
erative brakeshoe adjusters. If the adjusters are mis-
assembled, they will not function. In addition, since
the adjuster mechanism only works during reverse
stops, it is important that complete stops be made.
The adjuster mechanism does not operate when roll-
ing stops are made in reverse. The vehicle must be
brought to a complete halt before the adjuster lever
will turn the adjuster screw.
A condition where the parking brakes do not hold, will
most probably be due to a wheel brake component.
Items to look for when diagnosing a parking brake
problem, are:
²rear brakeshoe wear or adjuster problem
²rear brake drum wear
²brake drums machined beyond allowable diameter
(oversize)
²parking brake front cable not secured to lever
²parking brake rear cable seized
²parking brake strut reversed
²parking brake strut not seated in both shoes
²parking brake lever not seated in secondary shoe
²parking brake lever or brakeshoe bind on support
plate
²brakeshoes reversed
²adjuster screws seized
²adjuster screws reversed
²holddown or return springs misassembled or lack
tension
²wheel cylinder pistons seized
Brake drums that are machined oversize are diffi-
cult to identify without inspection. If oversize drums
are suspected, diameter of the braking surface will
have to be checked with an accurate drum gauge.
Oversize drums will cause low brake pedal and lack
of parking brake holding ability.
Improper parking brake strut and lever installation
will result in unsatisfactory parking brake operation.
Intermixing the adjuster screws will cause drag, bind
and pull along with poor parking brake operation.
Parking brake adjustment and parts replacement pro-
cedures are described in the Parking Brake section.
MASTER CYLINDER/POWER BOOSTER TEST
(1) Start engine and check booster vacuum hose
connections. Hissing noise indicates vacuum leak.
Correct any vacuum leak before proceeding.
(2) Stop engine and shift transmission into Neu-
tral.
(3) Pump brake pedal until all vacuum reserve in
booster is depleted.
(4) Press and hold brake pedal under light foot
pressure.
(a) If pedal holds firm, proceed to step (5).
(b) If pedal does not hold firm and falls away,
master cylinder is faulty due to internal leakage.
Overhaul or replace cylinder.
(5) Start engine and note pedal action.
(a) If pedal falls away slightly under light foot
pressure then holds firm, proceed to step (6).
(b) If no pedal action is discernible, or hard pedal
is noted, power booster or vacuum check valve is
faulty. Install known good check valve and repeat
steps (2) through (5).
(6) Rebuild booster vacuum reserve as follows: Re-
lease brake pedal. Increase engine speed to 1500
rpm, close throttle and immediately turn off ignition.
5 - 8 SERVICE BRAKE DIAGNOSISJ

(7) Wait a minimum of 90 seconds and try brake
action again. Booster should provide two or more vac-
uum assisted pedal applications. If vacuum assist is
not provided, perform booster and check valve vac-
uum tests.
POWER BOOSTER CHECK VALVE TEST
(1) Disconnect vacuum hose from check valve.
(2) Remove check valve and seal from booster (Fig.
1).
(3) Hand operated vacuum pump can be used for
test (Fig. 2).
(4) Apply 15-20 inches vacuum at large end of
check valve (Fig. 1).
(5) Vacuum should hold steady. If gauge on pump
indicates any vacuum loss, valve is faulty and must
be replaced.
POWER BOOSTER VACUUM TEST
(1) Connect a vacuum gauge to the booster check
valve with a short length of hose and tee fitting (Fig.
3).(2) Start and run engine at idle speed for one
minute.
(3) Pinch hose shut between vacuum source and
check valve (Fig. 3).
(4) Stop engine and observe vacuum gauge.
(5) If vacuum drops more than one inch HG (33
millibars) within 15 seconds, booster diaphragm or
check valve is faulty.
Fig. 1 Typical Vacuum Check Valve And Seal
Fig. 2 Typical Hand Operated Vacuum Pump
Fig. 3 Booster Vacuum Test Connections
JSERVICE BRAKE DIAGNOSIS 5 - 9

Fig. 6 Brakeline Routing (YJ With 4-Cylinder Engine)
Fig. 7 Rear Brakeline Routing (XJ With ABS)
JBRAKE FLUIDÐBRAKE BLEEDINGÐBRAKELINES AND HOSES 5 - 13

(5) Remove air cleaner housing from engine com-
partment.
(6) Disconnect wire from combination valve pres-
sure differential switch (Fig. 9). Do not pull wire to
disconnect. Unsnap lock tabs on wire connecter.
(7) Disconnect canister vacuum line at manifold
fitting (Fig. 10).
(8) Disconnect brake booster vacuum hose at in-
take manifold fitting (Fig. 11). Move hose aside for
working clearance.(9) Unseat small S-clip that secures brakelines
(Fig. 12).
(10) Remove brakeline that connects master cylin-
der front port to combination valve front port (Fig.
12).
(11) Disconnect master cylinder rear brakeline at
cylinder. Then loosen line at combination valve and
swing line around to opposite side of cylinder (Fig.
13).
(12) Disconnect rear brakeline at HCU (Fig. 14).
(13) Disconnect both flex brakelines at HCU (Fig.
14).
(14) Disconnect HCU line to rear brakes at HCU
port (Fig. 14).
(15) Remove nut attaching combination valve
bracket to brake booster stud.
(16) Remove combination valve and brakelines as
assembly (Fig. 15). Work valve bracket off booster
stud. Then work brakelines around cylinder and
HCU and remove assembly.
Fig. 9 Pressure Differential Switch Wire Connection
Fig. 10 Canister Vacuum Line Location (At Manifold
Fitting)
Fig. 11 Booster Vacuum Hose Removal/Installation
(From Manifold Fitting)
Fig. 12 Master Cylinder Front Brakeline Removal/
Installation
Fig. 13 Disconnecting Master Cylinder Rear
Brakeline
5 - 18 MASTER CYLINDERÐCOMBINATION VALVEJ

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER OPERATION
Booster Components
The booster assembly consists of a housing divided
into separate chambers by two internal diaphragms
(Fig. 2). The outer edge of each diaphragm is at-
tached to the booster housing. The diaphragms are
connected to the booster primary push rod.
Two push rods are used in the booster. The primary
push rod connects the booster to the brake pedal. The
secondary push rod connects the booster to the mas-
ter cylinder to stroke the cylinder pistons.
The atmospheric inlet valve is opened and closed
by the primary push rod. Booster vacuum supply is
through a hose attached to an intake manifold fitting
at one end and to the booster check valve at the
other. The vacuum check valve in the booster housing
is a one-way device that prevents vacuum leak back.How Brake Boost Is Generated
Power assist is generated by utilizing the pressure
differential between normal atmospheric pressure
and a vacuum. The vacuum needed for booster oper-
ation is taken directly from the engine intake mani-
fold. The entry point for atmospheric pressure is
through a filter and inlet valve at the rear of the
housing (Fig. 3).
The chamber areas forward of the booster dia-
phragms are exposed to vacuum from the intake
manifold. The chamber areas to the rear of the dia-
phragms, are exposed to normal atmospheric pres-
sure of 101.3 kilopascals (14.7 pounds/square in.).
Brake pedal application causes the primary push
rod to open the atmospheric inlet valve. This exposes
the area behind the diaphragms to atmospheric pres-
sure. The resulting pressure differential provides the
extra apply pressure for power assist.
Fig. 2 Brake Booster/Master Cylinder Assembly (YJ)
JPOWER BRAKE BOOSTERÐBRAKE PEDALÐBRAKELIGHT SWITCH 5 - 23

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER REMOVAL
(XJ WITH ABS)
(1) Disconnect vacuum and vent hoses at air
cleaner cover.
(2) Loosen clamp securing air cleaner hose to in-
take manifold. Use screwdriver to tap clamp loose.
(3) Remove air cleaner cover and hose. Then re-
move air filter from air cleaner housing (Fig. 4).
(4) Remove two bolts and one nut that secure air
cleaner housing to body (Fig. 4).
(5) Remove air cleaner housing from engine com-
partment (Fig. 4).
(6) Disconnect wire at combination valve pressure
differential switch (Fig. 5). Do not pull on wires to
disconnect. Unsnap lock tabs on connecter to remove
wires.
(7) Disconnect canister vacuum line at manifold
fitting (Fig. 6).(8) Disconnect brake booster vacuum hose at in-
take manifold fitting (Fig. 7). Move hose aside for
working clearance.
(9) Unseat small S-clip that secures brakelines
(Fig. 8).
(10) Remove front brakeline that connects master
cylinder front port to combination valve front port
(Fig. 8).
Fig. 3 Power Brake Booster Internal Components
5 - 24 POWER BRAKE BOOSTERÐBRAKE PEDALÐBRAKELIGHT SWITCHJ

(11) Disconnect master cylinder rear brakeline at
cylinder. Then loosen line at combination valve and
swing line around to opposite side of cylinder (Fig. 9).
(12) Disconnect rear brakeline at HCU (Fig. 10).
(13) Disconnect both flex brakelines at HCU (Fig.
10).
(14) Disconnect HCU line to rear brakes at HCU
port (Fig. 10).
(15) Remove nut attaching combination valve
bracket to brake booster stud.
(16) Remove combination valve and brakelines as
assembly (Fig. 11). Work valve bracket off booster
stud. Then work brakelines around cylinder and
HCU and remove assembly.
(17) Remove nuts attaching master cylinder to
booster studs and remove cylinder (Fig. 12).
(18) Remove master cylinder reservoir cap and
drain fluid.
(19) Disconnect HCU solenoid harness from main
harness (Fig. 13).
(20) Disconnect HCU pump motor harness (Fig.
14).(21) Disconnect lines at lower left side of HCU
(Fig. 15).
(22) Remove nuts attaching HCU mounting
bracket to stud plate and body. Then remove HCU
and bracket as assembly.
(23) In passenger compartment, remove instru-
ment panel lower trim cover.
(24) Remove retaining clip that secures booster
push rod to brake pedal (Fig. 16).
(25) Remove nuts attaching booster to passenger
compartment side of dash panel.
(26) In engine compartment, slide booster studs
out of dash panel, tilt booster upward, and remove
booster from engine compartment.
(27) Remove booster spacer, if equipped.
(28) Remove dash seal from booster, or dash panel.
Fig. 9 Disconnecting Master Cylinder Rear Brakeline
Fig. 10 Location Of HCU Flexlines And HCU Line To
Rear Brakes
Fig. 11 Combination Valve And Brakeline Removal
Fig. 12 Master Cylinder Attaching Nut Removal
5 - 26 POWER BRAKE BOOSTERÐBRAKE PEDALÐBRAKELIGHT SWITCHJ

(16) Install combination valve as follows:
(a) Work combination valve and brakelines into
position.
(b) Slide combination valve bracket onto booster
stud closest to driver side fender (Fig. 25). Then in-
stall bracket attaching nut but do not fully tighten
nut at this time.
(c) Connect flex lines to HCU. Start lines by
hand to avoid cross threading.
(17) Swing rear brakeline around and connect it to
master cylinder. Then install and connect front
brakeline to combination valve and master cylinder.
Start brakelines by hand to avoid cross threading.
(18) Tighten combination valve bracket attaching
nut to 25 Nzm (220 in. lbs.) torque.
(19) Install clip on lines from master cylinder to
combination valve.
(20) Connect wire to pressure differential switch
on combination valve.
(21) Connect flex lines to HCU (Fig. 10). Start line
fittings by hand to avoid cross threading. Then
tighten fittings snug but not to required torque at
this time.(22) Bleed brakes. Refer to procedure in Brake
Fluid-Brake Bleeding-Brakelines And Hoses section.
(23) Tighten brakeline fittings to 15-18 Nzm (130-
160 in. lbs.) at HCU and master cylinder, and 18-24
Nzm (160-210 in. lbs.) at combination valve.
(24) Install air cleaner assembly.
(25) Connect vacuum lines to manifold fittings.
(26) Check brake pedal action before moving vehi-
cle. Bleed brakes again if pedal is not firm (feels soft/
spongy).POWER BRAKE BOOSTER REMOVAL (XJ WITHOUT
ABS)
(1) Disconnect vent and vacuum hose from engine
air cleaner cover.
(2) Remove engine air cleaner cover, filter, housing
and hoses (Fig. 4).
(3) Disconnect brakelines at master cylinder.
(4) Disconnect wire at combination valve differen-
tial pressure switch.
(5) If combination valve does not have an integral
bracket, disconnect brakelines at combination valve
and remove valve.
(6) If combination valve has integral bracket, re-
move nut attaching valve bracket to booster studs
and remove valve.
(7) Remove nuts attaching master cylinder to
booster studs and remove cylinder.
(8) Disconnect vacuum hose from booster check
valve.
(9) In passenger compartment, remove instrument
panel lower trim cover.
(10) Remove retaining clip that secures booster
push rod to brake pedal (Fig. 5).
Fig. 23 HCU And Bracket Mounting (RHD Models)
Fig. 24 Starting Brakelines In HCU
Fig. 25 Combination Valve Installation
JPOWER BRAKE BOOSTERÐBRAKE PEDALÐBRAKELIGHT SWITCH 5 - 29