Jeep Cherokee Front Brakes
This week I once again replaced the front brake pads and rotors on my Jeep Cherokee. I managed to catch them this time before the lining of the pads wore down to the metal. However, I found I still needed to replace the rotors because they had worn. There was actually a lip at the outer edge that made removing the calipers difficult.
I considered having the rotors turned. However, since it costs $16 to turn the at the machine shop and it takes two trips to town to drop them off and them pick them up later, I simply elected to buy new ones for $24 each.
I lifted the Jeep and removed a wheel. I then removed the two retaining bolts that hold the caliper to the knuckle. I had to use a pry bar to separate the pads slightly to get the caliper to come off over the lip in the rotor.
Once the caliper was off, I pried off the outer brake pad. I then used a C clamp to press the piston in before removing the inner pad from the piston. I then put new Duralast Gold brake pads that I got as free replacements at Autozone. I like the stopping power and feel of these pads and I really like the way my local store handles the warranty on the pads. I just swap the worn ones for new ones.
I then cleaned up the protective oil form the new rotor and set it in place. The guy at the parts counter had warned me that if I touched the rotor after cleaning the oil from my hands might cause it to warp. I have never experienced this problem but I heeded his advice anyway and cleaned the rotor again after it was in place on the hub.
I inspected the slide pins and mounting hardware. It all seemed OK, so I slipped the caliper into place over the new rotor. I tightened the two mounting bolts and put he wheel back in place.
I repeated the procedure on the other side. However on the second side, I pried the pads apart before loosening the caliper bolts as it made it easier to pry on the caliper. I don’t think I have ever had rotors wear quite like this before.
With the wheels back on and the truck lowered back to the ground, I pumped the pedal a few times to move the pistons out to contact the rotor before moving the Jeep. I made sure not to press the pedal further than normal while doing this to reduce the chance of damaging the master cylinder seals on trash that may have accumulated in the end of the bore.
The Duralast pads do not require any special bedding in process. I just make sure I don’t stop completely while they are hot for the first few miles. If I do have to come to a complete stop with them warm, I use a creeping motion to make sure that the heat is dissipated throughout the rotor rather than concentrating it all in one place. After ten to twelve stops, I could feel that the pads were nicely bedded in.
