Your Jeep has a complex system of brakes. Whether they’re the parking brake or the anti-lock brake system, you need to know how to check and maintain them. Here’s a quick overview of how to do it. You’ll learn about the bedding-in process, resurfacing the rotors, and brake pad wear. You’ll also learn about the symptoms of spongy brakes.
Bedding-in procedure
To ensure the proper operation of your Jeep’s brakes, you must perform a bedding-in procedure for the brakes. This procedure involves applying and releasing brake pedal pressure while heating the brakes. This process deposits a layer of brake pad material on the surface of the rotor. The process should be carried out on a safe road away from traffic.
While bedding-in your brakes may not be essential for autocrossing, track driving, or other spirited driving, it’s important to use common sense. While OEM brake pads will bed-in naturally over time, it’s still best to do this procedure when expected to use them frequently.
Bedding-in your Jeep brakes is a crucial step in getting your new brake pads to work properly. This procedure involves gradually increasing the heat cycle of your brake pads until they have a thin, film-like coating on the rotor. Once the bed-in process is complete, you should experience smooth braking and reduced judder.
Resurfacing rotors
Resurfacing rotors on your Jeep is a great way to revitalize the brakes and get your Jeep’s brakes functioning properly again. Generally, resurfacing the rotors is done after replacing the brake pads. This is because the old pads likely scored the rotor. Resurfacing thins out the rotors, improving brake performance and stopping power.
Generally, resurfacing rotors is a cheaper alternative to replacing them. If you notice uneven surfaces on the rotors, turn them. The uneven surface is the cause of squealing or vibrations in the steering wheel. If you notice uneven surfaces on your Jeep’s brakes, you should bring it to a Jeep mechanic right away.
A qualified technician will evaluate your vehicle’s brake system and measure the rotors. If they are still in good shape, resurfacing may be an option, although if the thickness is too thin, it may be necessary to replace them.
Wear of brake pads
If you want to prevent premature brake pad wear, you should replace the pads on a regular basis. However, it is crucial that you replace the hardware as well, including the boots and guide pins. While there is no exact formula for how long the brake pads should last, you can use the thickness of the friction material when the pads are new to estimate their thickness.
If your Jeep’s brake pads have a wedge-shape, it is possible that the caliper is slipping. Tapered pads, on the other hand, indicate that one side of the pad is seized in the bracket. These wear patterns can be caused by improper pad installation or worn guide pin bushings. You can replace these worn bushings by purchasing a hardware kit.
If you drive regularly and in heavy traffic, you should check your rear brake pads frequently. Depending on how much you use your vehicle, you may need to replace the rear pads more often than the front ones. Also, it is important to check your Jeep’s maintenance schedule for replacing the brake pads.
Symptoms of spongy brakes
If your brake pedal feels soft and spongy, you may have a problem with the master cylinder. There are a few things you can do to fix the problem. First, you should start the Jeep in park and press down on the brake pedal. It should be firm and hard, but if it is spongy, it means that you have a leak in the master cylinder. In this case, you can try replacing the seals with new ones, but if these methods do not work, you should consult a mechanic.
Another common cause of spongy brakes is a leaking brake fluid system. It can be a small leak, or it could be a complete blowout. In either case, your brakes will be unable to provide enough pressure, resulting in a longer stopping distance and higher effort.
Another cause of spongy Jeep brakes is a broken brake hose. When this happens, air may leak from the brake system and travel through the brake hose, making the pedal unresponsive. You should immediately change the brake hoses to ensure that you don’t have a leak, since the problem will be even more severe if the hoses are broken or worn.
