You should not attempt this unless you have experience working on brakes. Improper adjustment can lead to poor braking performance, uneven wear, and potential safety hazards.
Here's a general overview of what's involved, but remember this is not a comprehensive guide:
1. Safety First: Engage the parking brake, chock the front wheels securely, and use jack stands to safely lift the rear of the vehicle.
2. Wheel Removal: Remove the rear wheels.
3. Accessing the Drum: The emergency brake is integrated into the rear drum brake assembly. You'll need to carefully remove the drum. This often involves using a drum puller to avoid damage. Some drums might just be able to be tapped off with a hammer and punch, but extreme caution is necessary.
4. Brake Shoe Adjustment: Once the drum is off, you'll see the brake shoes and the adjuster mechanism. This usually involves a star-wheel adjuster. Turning this wheel will adjust the distance between the brake shoes and the drum. The correct adjustment ensures the brake shoes are close enough to engage the emergency brake effectively but not so close that they drag when driving. There is usually a small hole to access this wheel.
5. Proper Adjustment: You'll need to adjust the shoes so that the parking brake engages firmly after a few clicks of the handle, yet the vehicle doesn't roll when the parking brake is released and the car is on a slight incline. It's a balance.
6. Reassembly: Once the shoes are adjusted, carefully replace the drum, ensuring it fits properly. Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle.
7. Testing: Test the emergency brake to ensure it engages and disengages correctly.
Instead of attempting this yourself, I strongly recommend taking your Jeep to a qualified mechanic. Improperly adjusted brakes can be extremely dangerous. A mechanic has the proper tools and experience to correctly adjust your parking brake and ensure your vehicle's safety. The cost of a professional adjustment is far less than the potential cost of an accident caused by faulty brakes.
