05 RME Slow Build

So the brake issue wasn't all bleeding related. The rear drums are shot. Next on the chopping block? ZJ rear disc conversion.

If you get zj brake conversion parts from a doner vehicle ,
It will most likely have anti lock brakes , do not hesitate to get the parts.
All you have to do is remove anti lock sensor and throw away.
You can get rubicon e brake cables, they are direct fit.
You can also get the proprtioning valve while you are there or just remove internal spring i believe, and swap with yours. I FORGET.
You need to get parts from a zj with the calipers on the forward side of differential, forget what years, 98 up to ? .You can look on STU OLSON'S SITE to get ideas AND INFO.
It has been a while since i did mine ,very easy swap.
It is a good swap if you are running a dana 35 . especially if you snap an axle like i did.
I drove it over 25 miles to get home after snaping left axle in the trail. .
I would have been stuck in woods if i had drum brakes because axle would have came out .
The caliper held rotor, wich in turn kept axle from coming out of axle tube, saved me from a nightmare.
Good luck.

I read Stu's D44 ZJ disc conversion write up several times. That's where I got the idea initially. Overall it is a straight forward job. The only thing I can't do is pressing off/on the new axle bearings when installing the new retainers.

You have a dana 44?

Yes

What do we have here?

Todays Jeeping: Finished painting Savvy UA and started cleaning up/painting the brake parts.

The rear disc conversion begins this weekend. Does anyone know of a local shop that can press off the old axle bearings and press on the new ones for a decent price. I really don't feel like driving very far.

Done! The Ebrake still won't hold on a hill even after proper adjustment. I'm not sure what the issue is.





I was able to get the bearing done at 495 Jeep. The guy did it on the side for $20!

The project is on indefinite hiatus. I have lost the desire to work on my DD every time I turn around. I picked up a $500 Tercel to DD. I will take a short break from the Jeep until I have time/money to continue.

I did same swap on my tj and i can tell you that i have same issue and i have been doing this kind of work for about 40 years.
I have a dana 35 and it stopped 10 times better with drums in rear and e brake held so much better.
I only did swap because i did not want to loose a axle if and when i broke one and sure enough i broke one.
I swapped proportioning valve also.

If you run through mud and muddy water alot /even a little ,you will wipe out e brake shoes in no time. Because there is next to no material on e brake shoes for some dumb reason, and mud is like liquid sand paper.
I wiped them out in no time and wiped out ceramic brake pads also,....... big disappointment!
Did you back off of cable/lever adjustment first, adjust shoes , then tighten up lever adjustment.
That's all you can do. GOOD LUCK.

The EBrake isnt the major concern right now. I am positive the cables are too worn out. The real issue is the leaking axle seals. I was able to get the passenger side to seal with Ultra Black RTV, but the drivers side is still leaking.

Still leaking after installing new seal and bearing?.

Yup. Not sure why. Oh well, I am going to let Elia4wd take care of it eventually. I just can't be bothered with it at this point.

dongalonga wrote:The project is on indefinite hiatus. I have lost the desire to work on my DD every time I turn around. I picked up a $500 Tercel to DD. I will take a short break from the Jeep until I have time/money to continue.

Yeah, I know how you feel. Getting a DD and being able to walk away from it is one of the best mods you can do. My poor YJ, while running fine *for now*, has been sitting neglected in on-street parking for the past week just because even driving it has been stressing me out with all the various noises and worries, etc.

Being able to let it sit broken if it needs to is the right course of action. It should be fun, not stressful.

You hit the nail on the head my friend. I have been very stressed due to the rig lately. I love my Jeep and was even debating getting rid of it, I was so frustrated. I think the DD mod will go a long way!

dongalonga wrote:You hit the nail on the head my friend. I have been very stressed due to the rig lately. I love my Jeep and was even debating getting rid of it, I was so frustrated. I think the DD mod will go a long way!

My TJ has a bushing issue with a rear control arm. It's practically been parked for two weeks now waiting for new Currie arms. Audi's been seeing some use. It's wonderful to have two.

Hey RYAN.
Are you going to be able to repair it before you go on run?

There has been a big development in the axle seal issue. More info to come tomorrow or Wednesday!

I did something bad/good today:

Oh, holy crap. It wasn't just a part-out with planning.

You actually bought it!

Congratulations! I assume you removed the old parts before you traded in the TJ, then?

Yeah I removed everything that I could without making the Jeep drive like crap. It pays to keep as much of the old stuff as possible

New jk?

yup brand new