Jeep Brake Disc and Pad Kit

Street Safety

For your Jeep to be street safe, your replacement brakes should feature some serious stopping power. That's because they serve as a safety system that keeps you from potential harm. It allows you to keep your car from hitting other cars or pedestrians because it keeps you in complete control of your vehicle.

You should buy reliable, consistent brakes that are at least as good as your stock brakes. Performance brake rotors and pads are popular because of their extra friction that shortens your stopping distance.

Driving Performance

You don't necessarily need racing-grade brakes when doing some ordinary city driving. Then again, it pays to have performance brake discs and pads available that are high-grade enough to halt the momentum of a racecar. If it's good enough for a racecar, then what more for a city car with fewer brake requirements?

Jeeps might not be track vehicles, but they still definitely require serious friction and stopping power to handle the high stress of rugged outdoor drives.

Brake Fade Mitigation

By buying the right performance brake disc and pads, you can also minimize brake fade. Stock brakes tend to wear out easier compared to performance brakes, even when it comes to high-performance cars. Whenever brakes get too hot, they lose their stopping power.

Jeeps and big rigs tend to deal with this phenomenon because of their hauls and rough applications. A performance brake can mitigate this phenomenon with the assistance of high-grade brake pad material that counteracts the heat.

Quality Brake Materials

Speaking of which, performance brake discs and pads tend to feature all sorts of quality materials such as high-temperature steel and heat-tolerant aluminum for the rotors and ceramic, semi-metallic, or EBC for brake pads. These materials are resistant against friction-based wear-downs and offer superior heat transfer to avoid phenomena like brake fade or the destruction of your discs and pads due to excessive consecutive usage.

Design Features

A good brake allows Jeep drivers to keep their vehicles under control when doing hairpin turns. It's able to do this by having design features that enhance a Jeep's stopping power, minimize noise, and extend the life of the rotors and other brake parts. They include shims or metal plates placed on the backside to minimize squeal, slots on the friction surface to allow brake dust and gas to escape, and pad wear sensors that inform you when your pads have become worn.

The Bottom Line

Your Jeep can have all the speed, torque, and horsepower in the world, but it still wouldn't matter unless you have complete control of this untamed beast of a machine. Although fixing or upgrading your braking system might seem like a daunting task, it's actually a lot simpler and worthwhile to do than you'd think. Just follow the tips outlined above so that you'd get a worthwhile deal.

Lately, I noticed that there’s a kind of brake squeal whenever I stop short. Is this a sign that I now need a new Jeep brake disc and pad kit?

That squealing sound is usually produced due to vibration, and that can be an indication of worn brake linings. It is also your brake system’s way of telling you that your brake discs need to be machined or the front brake pads are loose or have lost their anti-rattle clips.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need a new brake disc and pad kit or replacement anti-rattle clips, or you can have your brake discs machined.

I will be replacing by Jeep’s brake pads this coming weekend. Any pre-installation or preparation tips that could help make my DIY replacement project easier and safer?

Here are a few safety tips: Check if you have everything ready before starting off with the task. Before you remove the wheel, make sure that your Jeep has been jacked up and securely resting on jack stands. It’s a good idea to break the lugs before raising the vehicle and jacking it up as it’s safer for you to loosen them while the wheels are still resting on solid ground.

When removing the lug nuts, it’s a good idea to start from the bottom, working your way up. The top lug nut will be able to keep the wheel in place, making it easier for you to remove the other nuts.

Why is it necessary to break in the newly installed brake pads and discs at low speed before using the vehicle for high-speed driving?

Doing so will allow your pads and disc to build up some grip, which is necessary to achieve optimal braking power. Carefully read the instructions that come with your Jeep brake disc and pad kit as some types of pads and rotors require a specific break-in process.

When visually inspecting the discs, how will I know if they are still in good working condition?

The brake discs should look shiny and fairly uniform from the inside portion to the outer edge. If you notice slight or small lines on the discs, don't worry too much as those are normal disc wear. But if the discs have rough spots or noticeable grooves, then maybe it’s time to have them machined.

Before machining, check the thickness of the discs to be sure that they haven’t thinned beyond the manufacturer specs. If the grooves are too deep and machining will just make the discs too thin, then it might be high time for you to get a new Jeep brake disc and pad kit.

I’m about to purchase a replacement brake disc when my friend told me that I should replace it in pairs. Why is that so?

Yes, the brake discs should always be replaced in pairs as they are also installed at the same time. Whenever you apply your brakes, both discs are put to work. So even if the other one still looks fine, it won’t be long until it will necessitate replacement, too. To save on time, money, and effort, and so as not to compromise your Jeep’s driveability and safety, it is important that you replace both discs at once.

I now have my Jeep brake disc and pad kit, and I think I’m ready for the DIY installation. Can you give me some installation tips?

When replacing the pads, it is advised that you also replace or resurface the rotor. Clean the rotor surface by washing it with warm water and a non-detergent liquid cleanser. Do not touch the brake pad’s friction material so as not to contaminate it. When necessary, the sliding surfaces and the back of the pad must be lubricated with brake lubricant.

Brake hardware must be inspected, too, and those that are already worn should be replaced along with the disc and the pad. Do not make the mistake of hammering the pads to set them in place. Instead, open the bleeder and compress the piston.

How can I properly bed-in my newly installed brake pads and discs?

Drive at low speed and, from 60mph, slowly apply the brakes several times until they reach the ideal operating temperature. By doing so, you can prevent thermal shocking of the pads and rotors. Perform about 10 near-stops from 60mph to 20mph. Brake hard by firmly pressing the brakes, but be careful not to engage ABS or lock your wheels.

Do not make the mistake of coming to a complete stop at every slowdown as you will just cause the pad material to be imprinted onto the hot rotors, leading to vibration. After making 7 or 8 near stops, the brakes will start to fade. Then after the last near-stop, you can now accelerate to speed and cruise for a while, making sure you won’t use the brakes often to allow them to cool down before coming to a stop.