I searched all the threads and didn't find and answer.

Long story short, I bought an '87 Cherokee on the cheap as a project car and I'm in the process of rectifying a spongy brake issue by replacing rotors, pads, fluid flush (the car has sat parked for about 9-10 months) and adjusting the drums first to see if that fixes the issue before I replace the master cylinder and/or booster.

When I removed the tire on the RF and was inspecting everything before I started working, I noticed that roughly 1/4 of the caliper piston was exposed and not making contact with the pad. {If you're looking at it from the side, you see the rotor and then see some of the piston poking out above it. See picture}. My question is, is that the proper location of the caliper and should it look that way? I checked the LF as well and its the same way. This is my first Jeep and I just was curious if that's a design unique to Jeeps or if the previous owner installed it incorrectly, as every other care I've worked on the the piston makes 100% contact with the pad. Thanks. -Alex

 

The caliper piston should press into the center of the pad.

 

Something isn't right. Did you remove any of the brake components? Can you post a pic?

 

I took the caliper off to see if I could adjust its positioning, but the only way it would go back on, is the way it was...however the bolts do align and tighten.

I will take on when I get home tonight.

 

I'm wondering how you can even see the piston from looking at the rotor. Is it possible that someone put the wrong size rotor/pads on there? Look at this pic. Does it look to be the same size as your rotor?

 

I just bought my 1989 XJ and have the same thing. I'll post a picture up when I get home tonight from the airport, hoping to find the solution also.

It doesn't appear that the rotor is too small, it fits inside the caliper with no room to spare for a larger one. Just wondering if the calipers have been replaced before and a wrong year was given and installed.

 

This is what mine looks like.