1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement

With the transmission in park, firmly set the parking brake

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Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir at the back of the engine compartment

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Open but do not remove the cap

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This allows the brake fluid to be forced back into the reservoir while compressing the brake caliper piston during the removal process

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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

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Before jacking the wheel and tire assembly off the ground, loosen the lug nuts about one quarter turn each

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Carefully jack one side of the axle high enough to get the respective tire an inch or two off the ground

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Position your jack stand under the axle tube between the lower control arm mount and the sway bar bushing bracket

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Carefully lower the axle onto the jack stand, ensuring it will be stable and secure

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Remove the lug nuts and the wheel and tire, setting them out of the way

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Be sure to put the five lug nuts in a place they won't accidentally be kicked across the floor

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Before removing the old brake pads, spread newspaper below the work area

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Using a brake cleaning solvent of your choice, remove all brake dust residue from the work area

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Wear safety glasses during this step

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After the solvent has flashed off, remove the two protective caps that cover the brake caliper mounting bolts

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To remove the brake pads, first compress the brake caliper piston back into the brake caliper using a large C-clamp

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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

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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

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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

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Using a 7mm Allen attachment, remove the upper and lower caliper mounting bolts

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Gently pry the little clips off with a screwdriver

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Remove the caliper, inner brake pad, and outer brake pad

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Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose

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The outer brake pad just slides off through the grooves in the caliper mounting bracket

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Clean the brake caliper and caliper mounting bracket of any braking residue

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Apply anti-squeal compound to the backing of the new brake pads

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Reinstall the new brake pad in the caliper

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Apply a small amount of anti-squeal compound to the caliper mounting brackets

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Install the new outer brake pad by sliding it into the respective grooves of the caliper mounting bracket

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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

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Clean the caliper mounting bolts off with solvent and paper towels

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Apply a thin coat of high-temperature disc brake grease to the smooth sliding surface of the bolts before reinstallation

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Tighten the bolts to between 21 and 30 foot-pounds using a torque wrench

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Reinstall both caps

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Reinstall the wheel and tire assembly

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Tighten all five lug nuts in a star pattern, torquing to 95 foot-pounds with a torque wrench

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