I'd like to change my front brake pads on my 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport.
Can someone give me some direction on how this is done. Thanks.

 

jack up the front, support it on jackstands. pull the wheels. you can use a C-clamp to compress the pistons in the calibers remove the caliper mounting bolts lift the caliper off. use a coat hanger to support the calipers so they're not hanging by the brake lines. remove the old pads clean and lube the bridge(where the pads ride) and the caliper slides. reinstall everything. however you should check your rotors and either have them turned or replace them.

 

Original Thickness is 0.94 inches and the minimum thickness is 0.89 and the caliper bolt torque spec is 11 ft. lbs.

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ba...t-brakes-7143/

 

Use PB Blaster on the hardware for a day or so before attempting if you can.

 

be easy when tightening caliper bolts, go slow and tighten some on one and then some on the other back and forth in effort to not strip the thread in the knuckle

 

just make sure you install the brake pads properly. they fit in the caliper bracket by the slot cut into the pads on the bottom, then they rest against the bracket at the top.
so in other words, the upside down u goes to the bottom, the upside down L on top.

 

It hasn't been said yet so I guess maybe I should say it. Be extremely careful, if you don't know exactly what you are doing it could cost you in the long run. Brake jobs are pretty universal, so if you have done this before by all means, I prefer to work on my own cars too. But perhaps since you are looking on here on how to do a brake job, perhaps watch a few videos a hundred times to get it down pat. Also a lot can be said for safety doing this kind of work, you are in very close proximity to the jeep, trying to get off a stubborn bolt could knock it off the jack.

Couple of guidelines.

Use jack stands if you got them. Buy a breaker bar if you don't have one.

If you don't know how to replace the pads, either ask a friend to walk you through it or take it to a shop. I was fortunate enough to have owned a few clunkers in my lifetime that I had to work on myself. And my dad taught me a lot including the safety aspect of it all.

Buy a Haynes manual, they are mostly crap but they help. Better yet find a service manual, those are great if you can find one. But lastly, if you have doubt, get a trusted shop to do it. Most places are cool if you bring your own parts, and you also have a warranty on the work.

Have fun with it, but be safe.

 

Thanks for your reply, I'll follow your advice.

 

Look in my photo album for pics.

 

Haha strip the thread in the knuckle. Trust me, they snap off long before that happens.

 

Don't forget to suck half of the break fluid out of the reservoir first and leave it open or you will never compress the piston in the caliper. Kinda intimidating the first time you do a brake job, but actually a pretty easy job to do.

 

Replacing the fronts should be within the realm of your regular do-it-yourselfer...
The rears, drums, you should either have someone there who's done it before, or take it to a shop. They contain your e-brake, so at least you can downshift and use it to stop if all else fails.
Also, brake-cleaner, comes in a can, washes all that nasty brake dust off all your parts before your hands turn black. Buy a can, use it liberaly, make sure to put some newspapers or cardboard under the hubs before you get to spraying, so you don't stain up your nice driveway. Might want safety glasses on when spraying. Saves you from wearing an eye patch or 2 for the rest of your life... good luck and have fun!