I was looking to change the brakes on a new to me 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. When taking it apart I noticed the last person who did brakes put the pads on wrong. This caused the pad to wear a groove where the brake pad rides along the knuckle. I can not find any brake hardware listed anywhere that sometimes you find that clips on where the pad contacts the knuckle. Is there hardware available that anyone knows? Any other ideas or am I going to have to get new knuckles for both fronts?

 

Replace the knuckle. The new pads will get stuck in the worn section and not make full contact with the rotor and thus prematurely wearing out the pad. I recently replaced both knuckles on my xj due to sever wear.

 

Yeah, that's been a problem with jeeps for a long time. It might be why on the WJs the calipers mount on separate brackets that are bolted to the knuckle. I've replaced all 4 of mine. I've heard of guys welding them up and regrinding them, but that's a lot of work. If they are only slightly grooved, you can get away with filing them smooth, but you can get away with that only ONCE, then they get too loose to hold the pads properly.

 

Thanks for the responses. I did see a link to the weld fix after I posted this. Bad thing is I don't weld. The groove is so bad I may have to buy some junk yard knuckles if they are in good shape until I can have someone weld and fix the originals. All I can do is laugh when a simple brake job turns in to a full on project. Thanks again guys.

 

Okay here's something I was told so take it with that in mind. Because the knuckles are forged steel, they take to welding very well. Use a high nickel welding rod to hard surface the wear pads. It will be harder to regrind them, but they will stay good a lot longer. Then you can do your original pair for later.

 

I assumed they were cast. If they are forged, why do you need the nickle filler rod? Thanks for the info, are you SURE they are forged?

 

Arent caliper bracket replaceable ?

 

It's a pricey part. PITA to replace. I

 

only on 87 to 89 models. 90 and up are not.

 

How much is the two caliper brackets? There is a lot of stuff to wrench on to view get them off and on. I read that they are forged steel and can be easily TIG welded. I have a TIG welding machine ready to go.
I don't have $200 per side to replace the old ones.

 

YES they are forged. Using a casting for something like that is too dangerous. Too much heat or shock and they would break. The reason for using a nickle rod is the resulting weld is harder than the original metal and should wear longer. If they made the brackets out of nickle-steel, they'd cost more than you'd want to pay! Jet engine turbine blades are nickle-cobalt.

 

Do you know anything about reassembling drums and brakes and stuff on an 88?

 

i did a video on drums a few years ago. you should be able to find that video on here somewhere.

it was on my 99 TJ, but drums are pretty much identical anyhow

 

My dad told me something I've used most of my life. Do one side at a time, referring to the other side to see where the parts go. Comes in real handy with those stupid e-brake parts. Just remember to install the star-wheel adjuster so the teeth are under the auto-adjust lever, not backwards.

 

that's good advice Dave. I have used it myself several times.