Hi there. New to this forum. Looking for some help. Here is the story.


Yesterday I decided to replace the front pads and rotors on my 99 Cherokee 4.0L. A very simple job that I've done on my old 06 TJ. I went through the whole process. Blocked the back wheels, pulled the e-brake, took off the wheels, took of the calipers and rotors, took the reservoir cap off, compressed the calipers, put all the news parts on, and threw it all back together. I checked the reservoir with the calipers compressed and it was a little low so I added some fluid.


I went to take her for a test drive and she wouldn't move an inch (yes, I released the e-brake). The brake pedal was going to the floor when I first got in and I pumped it a few times and got some pressure. After that is when I put it in gear, but it wouldn't move at all. I even gave it some gas, which only made the tires spin.


I've read on a few other forums that there are different size rotors for this year, not sure if that is the problem.


Few ideas I have had:


-bleed brakes
-somehow the calipers went bad
-wrong size rotors


Like I said, I'm new to the forum. Please let me know what you guys think could be the issue. I'm willing to try anything once I get off of work today. Thank you!

 

yes. there is an early 99 and a late 99 rotor.
take yours back, you got the wrong ones.

if you measure the hat height on both, you will see the difference.

it's because they changed the hub assemblies half way through 99, so they needed to change the rotor hat height to match.

so keep in mind if you ever need to buy wheel bearings (hubs).

 

Pictures would help.

You did not bleed the system?????

 

Hard to believe one would not see that..........but then..........he did say he 'threw it back together.....'

 

I'll check on the measurements of the rotors. Do you know the specifications for the early and late 99's? I did not bleed the system because I should not have had any air get into it, however I can try that now.


When I said I "threw it together" I didn't mean that I carelessly put all the parts on. haha. I made sure it was done right of course.

 

when you tightened up the lugs you forced the rotor against the bracket so it cant turn.

Max

 

Because it's the wrong rotor?

 

Yup.

 

Thanks a lot my friend. I greatly appreciate it.

 

just take back your rotors and the the other ones for your year.
if you had the later year 99, you can use any from 99.5 up to 01 or even 06 tj as those are the same.
or if you have the early 99, you can use from 91 to 98 rotors or early 99.

 

You always bleed the system afterward......regardless. Further, I always bleed old fluid out, new in, when fluid is clear........done.


Secondly, if you took your time, paid attention, you should have noticed that rotor was not flush against the hub........bleeding the system.........the caliper/pads would have self-centered/aligned with the rotor......this would have shown you that the rotor was the wrong one BEFORE you bolted on the wheel.

 

Thanks everyone for all of your advice and assistance. Went and got the new rotors yesterday. We looked up the rotors for a 2000 and were able to find the correct size. Slapped them on there and everything was good to go. Guess I just needed a reminder of how important attention to detail is and that I am indeed a human. haha. Thanks again guys.

 

You bleed your brakes every time you do anything to them? That must be exhausting haha. The only time I bleed is when I introduce air in the system, like unbolting a caliper. I've never bleed after a simple rotor pad job on any of my vehicles.

But I agree he needs to get the right part, and maybe keep an eye on things next time, Jeep did funky stuff like the rotor change on a few things throughout the years.

 

I always bleed after doing brakes. Why not? You're right there, fluid is cheap and ensures that it is fresh. Plus it doesn't take much time at all.