williamedomhart

After sifting through 18 pages of search results for "Brake Pad," I didn't find anything talking about the issue I'm having.

I'm in the process of changing my front brake rotors and pads. This is typically a quick job, 30-45 minutes tops on other vehicles I've done this on.

I unbolted the D/S caliper and compressed the caliper piston to the bottom of travel. I had royal hell removing the inboard and outboard pads. I removed the anti-rattle clips and after an hour of f***ery, managed to force them out. So flags went off in my head, because you shouldn't need brute force to get the pads out.

The new pads I got are semi-metallic pads BrakeBest semi-metallic pads. Same break pad back-plate geometry as the old pads. For the life of me, I can only get the outboard pad in. The inboard pad geometry will fit, even with the outboard pads pulled out.

Am I losing my mind or did I not drink enough beer?

DFlintstone

I don't have pictures or diagrams handy. Jeep added this stupid, (to me), "key fit" deal. Compare the old with the new and look closely. A little deal, smaller than a dime....some have maybe a square thing, and others might have a rectangle...Anyway it has to match to fit.

Maybe I can come up with some pics in an hr or two...

Yea, agreed, smart thinking that if it's that hard, something probably isn't right.

williamedomhart

Picture > 1000 words =)

Is this a feature on the pad that makes them not compatible with the 2 piece calipers I have?

I'm definitely curious what this difference is. It was getting dark and I was working with a drop light by the time I started getting pissed trying to figure out why they wouldn't go in right. But I did look at them pretty closely in the house and couldn't discern any noticeable differences between them. I'll post pics when I get back home.

DFlintstone

See that little deal I'm pointing at is oval? That, of course has to match, and they changed it. IIRC I can't swap with my 84 to my 90. Might be the 84 is round. Anyway that's something to check. Also sometimes the parts store just lists the wrong brake parts for pre 91. Napa got mine right. IIRC it IS a bit tough to get them to clip in sometimes....

williamedomhart

My old pads and new pads look nothing like that. They don't have the clip on the pad-backing. Also, the pad-backing is smooth and flush with no holes. I'll post pics when I get home. Now I'm really scratching my head.

DFlintstone

OK...do check though. IIRC thees are the same shape as on my 84, just that little "GD" is a different shape. (that's the god-dammit)

DFlintstone

OK, I'm assuming you meant "won't fit". Reading more carefully....and looking, it's only the outboard that has that "index pin" or whatever it's called. My inboard, (piston side), is ether smooth, or with a deal that fits INTO the piston. All I can say is compare them carefully, and consider that they may well have given you the wrong part.

Also...my rings in my calipers swelled over many years to the point that the piston was binding, really tough to depress. Not your issue here I guess.

williamedomhart

got it figured out, will post pics later. The caliper is a different style than is shown in the manuals and else where. To access to pads for replacement, you have to remove the caliper slide pins. The fasteners are in the boots on the inboard side of the calipers. Its funny what some daylight will do. Pics coming soon