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1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement

If you are experiencing poor braking performance and or a noise when braking, then it may be time to replace your brake pads.

Applies to most Jeeps with disc brakes, including Cherokee (front), all Grand Cherokees, Liberty, and Wrangler.

Follow this video tutorial by YouTuber FreedivejeepHD to complete the replacement yourself.

Tools (12)

Parts (1)

  • Brake Pads Front Jeep 1999-2004 buy ↗

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1 · photo 1
1
  • With the transmission in park, firmly set the parking brake
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=0.0s|source].
Step 2 · photo 1Step 2 · photo 2
2
  • Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir at the back of the engine compartment
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=44.92s|source].
Step 3 · photo 1
3
  • Open but do not remove the cap
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=74.76s|source]
  • This allows the brake fluid to be forced back into the reservoir while compressing the brake caliper piston during the removal process
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=81.84s|source].
Step 4 · photo 1
4
  • If the brake fluid level is at or near the full mark, make room in the reservoir by drawing off enough fluid with a turkey baster to bring the level down near the add mark
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=90.44s|source].
Step 5 · photo 1
5
  • Before jacking the wheel and tire assembly off the ground, loosen the lug nuts about one quarter turn each
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=103.24s|source].
Step 6 · photo 1
6
  • Carefully jack one side of the axle high enough to get the respective tire an inch or two off the ground
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=113.64s|source].
Step 7 · photo 1
7
  • Position your jack stand under the axle tube between the lower control arm mount and the sway bar bushing bracket
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=125.56s|source].
Step 8 · photo 1
8
  • Carefully lower the axle onto the jack stand, ensuring it will be stable and secure
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=135.2s|source].
Step 9 · photo 1Step 9 · photo 2
9
  • Remove the lug nuts and the wheel and tire, setting them out of the way
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=143.2s|source]
  • Be sure to put the five lug nuts in a place they won't accidentally be kicked across the floor
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=158.2s|source].
Step 10 · photo 1
10
  • Before removing the old brake pads, spread newspaper below the work area
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=163.4s|source].
Step 11 · photo 1Step 11 · photo 2
11
  • Using a brake cleaning solvent of your choice, remove all brake dust residue from the work area
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=168.68s|source]
  • Wear safety glasses during this step
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=175.52s|source].
Step 12 · photo 1
12
  • After the solvent has flashed off, remove the two protective caps that cover the brake caliper mounting bolts
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=206.72s|source].
Step 13 · photo 1Step 13 · photo 2
13
  • To remove the brake pads, first compress the brake caliper piston back into the brake caliper using a large C-clamp
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=231.12s|source]
  • Place the top of the clamp on the far side of the brake caliper and the bottom part of the clamp on the backing of the brake pad nearest you
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=240.52s|source].
Step 14 · photo 1Step 14 · photo 2Step 14 · photo 3
14
  • As you tighten the C-clamp, the brake caliper piston will be forced back into the brake caliper, allowing clearance to remove the brake caliper assembly off of the caliper mounting bracket
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=252.2s|source].
Step 15 · photo 1
15
  • Check the fluid reservoir underneath the hood so that you don't overflow the fluid reservoir with brake fluid and spill it into your engine compartment
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=282.08s|source].
Step 16 · photo 1Step 16 · photo 2Step 16 · photo 3
16
  • Using a 7mm Allen attachment, remove the upper and lower caliper mounting bolts
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=292.2s|source].
Step 17 · photo 1
17
  • Gently pry the little clips off with a screwdriver
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=353.2s|source].
Step 18 · photo 1Step 18 · photo 2Step 18 · photo 3
18
  • Remove the caliper, inner brake pad, and outer brake pad
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=359.84s|source]
  • Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=370.44s|source]; instead, place it on the control arm after removing the inner brake pad
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=378.96s|source].
Step 19 · photo 1
19
  • The outer brake pad just slides off through the grooves in the caliper mounting bracket
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=384.64s|source].
Step 20 · photo 1Step 20 · photo 2Step 20 · photo 3
20
  • Clean the brake caliper and caliper mounting bracket of any braking residue
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=404.64s|source].
Step 21 · photo 1Step 21 · photo 2Step 21 · photo 3
21
  • Apply anti-squeal compound to the backing of the new brake pads
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=420.68s|source].
Step 22 · photo 1
22
  • Reinstall the new brake pad in the caliper
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=458.64s|source].
Step 23 · photo 1
23
  • Apply a small amount of anti-squeal compound to the caliper mounting brackets
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=472.16s|source].
Step 24 · photo 1Step 24 · photo 2Step 24 · photo 3
24
  • Install the new outer brake pad by sliding it into the respective grooves of the caliper mounting bracket
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=549.8s|source].
Step 25 · photo 1Step 25 · photo 2Step 25 · photo 3
25
  • If the brake piston is not retracted enough to allow for the additional width of the new thicker brake pads, installing the brake caliper can be more difficult
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=574.4s|source].
Step 26 · photo 1Step 26 · photo 2Step 26 · photo 3
26
  • Clean the caliper mounting bolts off with solvent and paper towels
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=589.6s|source].
Step 27 · photo 1Step 27 · photo 2Step 27 · photo 3
27
  • Apply a thin coat of high-temperature disc brake grease to the smooth sliding surface of the bolts before reinstallation
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=620.6s|source].
Step 28 · photo 1Step 28 · photo 2Step 28 · photo 3
28
  • Tighten the bolts to between 21 and 30 foot-pounds using a torque wrench
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=655.6s|source].
Step 29 · photo 1
29
  • Reinstall both caps
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=685.36s|source].
Step 30 · photo 1
30
  • Reinstall the wheel and tire assembly
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=692.84s|source].
Step 31 · photo 1Step 31 · photo 2Step 31 · photo 3
31
  • Tighten all five lug nuts in a star pattern, torquing to 95 foot-pounds with a torque wrench
  • [link|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UkRUz5xXL0&t=700.0s|source].
32
  • After lowering the vehicle to the ground, re-torque the lug nuts to 95 foot-pounds.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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