Brake Shoe Brand

[Maso]

I have a 2006 TJ and need to replace the brake shoes, anyone recommend a good brand, or one to stay away from. Thank you.

[ajftj]

Pop your drum off before you buy, check to see if the shoes in there have a solid band of brake material or two strips. The Monroe ones I got from Rockauto were solid, when I took the drum off the existing ones were not.

This meant having to remove a wear step in the middle of each drum before fitting the new shoes. I have no idea if there should be a strip or not, or if what I took out was incorrect or standard.

The Monroe shoes are fine. I can probably dig out the part number if you need confirmation before ordering.

Take photos of all those springs before you remove.

[RPG]

The last lot I got from EZIAuto parts on line. protex brand Shoes N3133 Wheel cylinders 210C0020 Shoes $36, cylinders $34 for the pair Free delivery. No problems work great.

[Maso]

Thanks for the replies, I'll have a look tomorrow.

[timbotrog]

Bendix is the way to go. Great quality at good prices.

Don't skimp and get the cheapest, they're cheap for a reason.

[Jonny Jeep]

The strip that is missing from some brake shoes in older TJs was a result of the introduction of rear discs with the Rubicon and/or LJ models.

The way I heard it IIRC... When discs were introduced, Jeep used the same proportioning valve for both discs and drum. The drum's better braking (believe it or not) required some of the friction material removing from the shoes so that the rear brakes would provide the same brake balance as the discs. Rather than just shorten the length of the friction pads, Jeep for whatever reason removed a strip from the middle of the pad. This is why a ridge develops in the drum which tends to puzzle people when they discover it.

[layback40]

Expect to need to replace the wheel cylinders as well. Or you can do as I have & hone & replace the cups. Be careful to get the correct sized wheel cylinders, IIRC some are 3/4" some are 7/8". The smaller ones reduce rear wheel lock up.