Recommendations for replacement brakes?

[iammacey]

Well, how can I tell if they need replacing? The Jeep dealership I've been taking my JT to for work like the steering box said that in 15k miles (back then, it calculated out to about 50k miles total) my brakes would need replacing. I'm not saying I should expect 100k miles from the pads and still be at half life (like the guy escorting wind turbine blades driving 90% highway), but I do go off-roading and sometimes I have to go on stretches lasting hours with mud in the wheelwells/brakes so bad it actually affects the braking feel (ie squishy and longer pedal press to get adequate stopping)

A visual inspection. Pads also have a wear indicator on them. It's metal and when it makes contact with the rotor makes a terrible noise that's impossible to ignore. Though I've seen people manage to ignore it.

Do a search for brake pad wear indicator and check out the images.

Watch some YouTube videos on it.

Brake pad replacement, barring no brake issues, is dependent on driver and braking style, vehicle use, etc.

And regardless of pad wear, I'd still plan to bleed the brakes at the two year point.

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[Casique]

Not sure if the JT has the new calipers that require you to put the brake system into maintenance mode to push the caliper pistons back, if not there will be damage to the brake system. Usually brake systems with hill assist and other automatic braking capabilities.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

A visual inspection. Pads also have a wear indicator on them. It's metal and when it makes contact with the rotor makes a terrible noise that's impossible to ignore. Though I've seen people manage to ignore it.

Do a search for brake pad wear indicator and check out the images.

Watch some YouTube videos on it.

Brake pad replacement, barring no brake issues, is dependent on driver and braking style, vehicle use, etc.

And regardless of pad wear, I'd still plan to bleed the brakes at the two year point.

Do THESE have the wear indicator that squeals?? Not all pads do, not even all OEM pads. I have 2 vehicles with no wear indicators and of the hundreds I've replaced over the decades, only some had that metal "finger" that squealed when it hit the rotor due to pad wear.
I have not looked at my JT but I can say for sure not all pads have that. I expect my brakes should last as long as they did on anything else I've owned unless FCA is using total crap for brakes. And I'm an ADHD driver. Go fast, stop fast.

As far as what is quoted above here originally by iammacey is a yes.
Regardless of pad wear, replacement, etc. do plan on a flush - that purges out the old brake fluid and replaces it with new.

Also - if a dealer or ANY shop says "you need brakes" you have a right to SEE - let them show you what they are saying and WHY. They need to show you what is left on the pads now.
I always not only showed customers any time they asked, I also kept old parts until they paid and left so they'd have proof they got new parts........ trust me, some appreciate it (although some wouldn't have a clue if you made a sandwich out of the parts and fed it to them)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not sure if the JT has the new calipers that require you to put the brake system into maintenance mode to push the caliper pistons back, if not there will be damage to the brake system. Usually brake systems with hill assist and other automatic braking capabilities.

I'll have to check my AlfaOBD software now as I could swear I saw that as I was flipping through settings on my truck.

 

[iammacey]

Do THESE have the wear indicator that squeals?? Not all pads do, not even all OEM pads. I have 2 vehicles with no wear indicators and of the hundreds I've replaced over the decades, only some had that metal "finger" that squealed when it hit the rotor due to pad wear.
I have not looked at my JT but I can say for sure not all pads have that. I expect my brakes should last as long as they did on anything else I've owned unless FCA is using total crap for brakes. And I'm an ADHD driver. Go fast, stop fast.

I brake hard as well. I certainly don't drive with brake wear as a priority.

As for wear indicators, I haven't checked either. Whether physical, electronic, or absent I prefer to rely on physical inspection when I'm rotating tires. Next time I have the wheels off I'll take a look though.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I brake hard as well. I certainly don't drive with brake wear as a priority.

As for wear indicators, I haven't checked either. Whether physical, electronic, or absent I prefer to rely on physical inspection when I'm rotating tires. Next time I have the wheels off I'll take a look though.

EXCELLENT post. Yes, inspect with each tire rotation at least.
I found the axle seal leak on my WJ (before I sold it recently) while checking brakes.

For lurkers just passing by -
A person doesn't have to be a mechanic, trained or otherwise, to keep an eye on things and know what to look for. This is an easy check, flashlight may make it easier, but you don't need special tools to LOOK.

 

[PyrPatriot]

And regardless of pad wear, I'd still plan to bleed the brakes at the two year point.

On the topic of bleeding/flushing brake lines, does that usually get done when all pads are replaced? I just had all 4 replaced on my Honda (was too busy to try on my own at the time) and they eneded up replacing a stuck caliper. Should I do my own flush or is that something done during such work?

 

[PyrPatriot]

Not sure if the JT has the new calipers that require you to put the brake system into maintenance mode to push the caliper pistons back, if not there will be damage to the brake system. Usually brake systems with hill assist and other automatic braking capabilities.

I didn't think about that. Not many videos on YT regarding brake pad replacement. A couple on replacing the calipers and everything else, no mention on the maintenance mode.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I didn't think about that. Not many videos on YT regarding brake pad replacement. A couple on replacing the calipers and everything else, no mention on the maintenance mode.

Be careful of some YT videos - some prolific boobtoob posters are wannabe experts, they did something 10 times and now they are experts. (example one about steering lock)
I'd try to find 2 or 3 from more professional types and not home garage sorts.

There are some great ones out there - but my bet is that 3/4 of them are not so great, and they are just people who accidentally figured something out and it worked. (as far as we know it worked)

 

[PyrPatriot]

Also - if a dealer or ANY shop says "you need brakes" you have a right to SEE - let them show you what they are saying and WHY. They need to show you what is left on the pads now.
I always not only showed customers any time they asked, I also kept old parts until they paid and left so they'd have proof they got new parts........ trust me, some appreciate it (although some wouldn't have a clue if you made a sandwich out of the parts and fed it to them)

More wisdom from you, appreciated. At my dealership they bring the truck around then tell you stuff like "you'll need this and this soon". So I could not have seen it. It was part of their "multi-point inspection" process. I'll be doing a tire rotation soon, so I can look then. This saturday is a full day of off-roading new trails

 

[PyrPatriot]

Be careful of some YT videos - some prolific boobtoob posters are wannabe experts, they did something 10 times and now they are experts. (example one about steering lock)
I'd try to find 2 or 3 from more professional types and not home garage sorts.

There are some great ones out there - but my bet is that 3/4 of them are not so great, and they are just people who accidentally figured something out and it worked. (as far as we know it worked)

Oh agreed completely. I just posted those for reference. I like to see what several Jeep oriented chanels say, then compare them to brake videos from EricTheCarGuy and others to see how "in-line" things are, because mechanics is mechanics, with Jeep specific videos for the nuances I might find for the newer vehicles.

 

[iammacey]

On the topic of bleeding/flushing brake lines, does that usually get done when all pads are replaced? I just had all 4 replaced on my Honda (was too busy to try on my own at the time) and they eneded up replacing a stuck caliper. Should I do my own flush or is that something done during such work?

Only if you paid for it. It would be a separate charge and line item. It's not typically a part of the labor with swapping pads and they would also bill for brake fluid.

*They should have bled the brakes for that caliper replacement to ensure no air in the system. That doesn't mean they did a full brake flush. So take a look at the bill or call them and confirm.

Bleeding brakes isn't hard. Depending on equipment used, it can be done in under 30 minutes. I bleed my Fiesta after track days and when swapping pads. I also bleed the brakes on my motorcycles. It's just easier and more cost effective than paying a dealer given the frequency.

For most, it's a once per 2-3 year deal and it's typically less than $100.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Only if you paid for it. It would be a separate charge and line item. It's not typically a part of the labor with swapping pads and they would also bill for brake fluid.

*They should have bled the brakes for that caliper replacement to ensure no air in the system. That doesn't mean they did a full brake flush. So take a look at the bill or call them and confirm.

Bleeding brakes isn't hard. Depending on equipment used, it can be done in under 30 minutes. I bleed my Fiesta after track days and when swapping pads. I also bleed the brakes on my motorcycles. It's just easier and more cost effective than paying a dealer given the frequency.

For most, it's a once per 2-3 year deal and it's typically less than $100.

Seems easy enough

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Only if you paid for it. It would be a separate charge and line item. It's not typically a part of the labor with swapping pads and they would also bill for brake fluid.

*They should have bled the brakes for that caliper replacement to ensure no air in the system. That doesn't mean they did a full brake flush. So take a look at the bill or call them and confirm.

Bleeding brakes isn't hard. Depending on equipment used, it can be done in under 30 minutes. I bleed my Fiesta after track days and when swapping pads. I also bleed the brakes on my motorcycles. It's just easier and more cost effective than paying a dealer given the frequency.

For most, it's a once per 2-3 year deal and it's typically less than $100.

It's absolutely shocking the number of DIYers and others that swap brake hydraulic parts, have that system open, and never bleed - or say "well I did a bench bleed". Wow. I walked out of one job, literally, because of that sort of BS with brakes. I take brakes SERIOUSLY. Before I did anything to make my 73 run better, I went through the brakes. Same with my 82. When I bought Dad's WJ, yes, I looked over the brakes.
Some people will spend 5 grand building an engine but bitch about 100 bucks for calipers or 40 for a master cylinder (talking legacy cars here LOL) Unreal.

People want 500 hp under the hood but balk when told your brakes need to have MORE HP capability to stop you in a shorter distance than the engine took to get you up to speed.

Anyway, brake hydraulic systems - how about pressures ranging from 800 psi up to 1400, even more....... air in the system, not a good thing. (especially with ABS and so on)

 

[PyrPatriot]

Would there be a benefit to upgrading to those fancy red brake systems in the vids? Seems like the Max Tow brake system is pretty solid even for towing a trailer.

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