Hey hive mind,
My front brakes are rubbing and I plan on changing calipers, pads and rotors, and probably changing out the rear at the same time unless I can do that in another pass. Is there anything else I should plan on doing while I am at it?

 

As far as the front go I would do the hoses since you are doing the calipers. Would seriously consider doing both front brake lines too. Using the copper/nickle alloy ones. Will need a T40 torx to get the hose off. As far as the rears go I would check the long brake line from the Proportioning Valve, mine was really rusted in my '00, and consider the one brake hose in the back. Also when I did my rears I replaced everything. Lines, wheel cylinders, all the hardware, hell even bought new parking brake bars just cause I could. My OCD kicks in. Just replace it all, button it up, and hopefully never go back in there again. Or at least for a real long time.

 

Since Pelagius is in Arizona his hard lines are probably fine. Still worth giving a close check anyway.
The front flex lines are definitely due for replacement.
If you don't have a set of flare nut wrenches be sure to stop by Sears and grab a set. They will save you much grief.

 

You may need to file down your knuckles too, old pads will wear into them and make a groove. If they aren't very deep you can just file them smooth but if they are deep, you should fill them in with a little weld puddle, and file it smooth. Mine were only maybe 2mm deep so I just shaved it down a bit and they run great now. Used to pull very hard one way or another under hard braking.

 

Brake fluid/bleeding?

 

Absolutely.

 

That is one thing that is the most often forgotten and not serviced.

 

how about converting to grand cherokee rear disc brakes from pic-and-save, pretty inexpensive about $150 or less.

 

Flush brake fluid.
Stainless lines.
Rear disk brake kit (teraflex has one) or junkyard pull of same parts.

 

Three comments:

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.

Forget stainless. If they need to be replaced, use the cupro-nickel tubing. Far easier to work with and more corrosion-resistant than stainless.


Yes and yes and yes again! Cheap flare wrenches are pure evil. Don't go cheap here.

 

when installing calipers, be sure the bleeder screw is above the brake line or you will never get them bled properly. they are left and right specific.

 

Thanks for all the great feed back guys! While i am not mechanical inept, I am still relatively new at the deeper "nuts and bolts" of owning a vehicle, so getting a few pointers is invaluable. So when I plan on working on the front brake system is it imperative i do the rear at the same time or can that be spaced out a bit?

 

depending on the condition of the rears, they can be left for later.

 

Almost forgot, my XJ was upgraded to have a D44 rear end. Are the rear brake components different then if it was the stock 8.25?

 

I think you just answered your own question...