Another "I don't know what I'm doing" thread
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 3
From: Houston Tx.
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So I take the front wheels off to spray some brake cleaner on the rotors to see if I can stop the squeal, and noticed it's not easy to turn the rotors by hand (by using the lugs), and the passenger side is harder to turn than the drivers side, (so THAT'S why it's been pulling to that side
).
How easy is it for you guys to turn your rotors by hand (2wd)
Pads and rotors have about 10k on them. Are my calipers sticking?
Read just now about brake dressing, what IS belt dressing, a lube?
I don't understand the instructions on how to spray it in the hole WITHOUT getting any on the pads?!?!
Will brake dressing free up the calipers?
).How easy is it for you guys to turn your rotors by hand (2wd)
Pads and rotors have about 10k on them. Are my calipers sticking?
Read just now about brake dressing, what IS belt dressing, a lube?
I don't understand the instructions on how to spray it in the hole WITHOUT getting any on the pads?!?!
Will brake dressing free up the calipers?
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
I have never heard of brake dressing. I would never spray anything on the rotors other than brake cleaner. You have a caliper issue and possibly a brake hose problem. New calipers are cheap and easy to replace. Bleeders up, never forget that.
CF Veteran


Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You should be able to turn the wheels easily, although they won't spin like a roulette wheel
If you drive your Jeep for 5-10 miles and then get out and put your hand on the wheel near the centre, is it hot to the touch?
I'd do that before taking the calipers apart, especially if your disks/pads look OK you're not confident.
EDIT: Hmm, Squealing... sounds like you do have a binding brake, make sure it's not just a stone or something wedged in there.
If you drive your Jeep for 5-10 miles and then get out and put your hand on the wheel near the centre, is it hot to the touch?I'd do that before taking the calipers apart, especially if your disks/pads look OK you're not confident.
EDIT: Hmm, Squealing... sounds like you do have a binding brake, make sure it's not just a stone or something wedged in there.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 3
From: Houston Tx.
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks, kinda confirmed it was the caliper, put the wheels back on and and the drivers side turns more than passenger side, about 1 1/2 turns vs. 1 turn, will get TWO new calipers anyhow.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
why not just pull the sliders, clean them up with a wire wheel on a drill and lube em up good when you reinstall them.
should buy you some time, or maybe even fix the problem.
worked for me for years.
should buy you some time, or maybe even fix the problem.
worked for me for years.
The problem is not always with the slides. Some times the piston sticks and won't retract.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 3
From: Houston Tx.
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Great White North
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Do what you want, it's your choice. I will continue replacing calipers, wheel cylinders, and brake hoses in pairs. I even replace my rotors in pairs. I like doing the job right the first time and not having the headaches of having to tear into something again because I thought I would save a couple of bucks. That is just me and the way I do things has served me well the last twenty five years I've been a mechanic. You half a$$ a tune up the only thing that goes wrong is an engine that runs bad. You half a$$ a brake job it could cost somebody their life. Do what you want though.


