Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Brake Upgrade and CV Boot Replacement
ATTN. I’m NOT a
professional mechanic so this is all done to my best
knowledge, use at your own risk.
First the
obvious, safely support the Jeep on jack stands and remove
all four wheels.
Let’s start with the
front rotors first. Use a C-clamp or similar tool
to press the piston into the caliper. It will make it easier to later
remove the caliper. There could be retainer clips holding the rotor on
to the lug nut bolts,remove them.
Then using a
13mm wrench remove the two bolts holding the caliper:
Now with the two
bolts removed, remove the caliper by pulling it from
the top backwards. You may have to carefully force it with a
screwdriver or something similar. Support the caliper so it doesn't
fall or otherwise stretch the brake lines while you remove the rotor:
Remove the
rotor. You may have to use some force to pull the rotor off
the lugs.
Skip the
next steps if you are NOT replacing the CV boots!!!!
Remove the three
12 point 13mm bolts attaching the hub to the axle (one
is not visible on this side):
Use a wire brush on
both ends of the hub bolts and spray with a
penetrant such as WD-40 prior to removal. It makes the removal easier.
I used a ½ inch socket and gently tapped in on there for a tight
fit. My bolts were a bit rusty it may be a good idea to have new ones
to install.
Bang that sucker
until the hub and axle come loose (not too hard
though!):
Pull out the hub
and axle. Remove the two clamps holding the CV boot
and cut or slide off the old CV boot:
Put a small amount of
grease on the new CV boot and slide it on. Put
more grease on the bearing which comes with new CV boot. Fasten the CV
boot with new clamps and reassemble. Clean all bolts before you install
them. Tighten all three by hand, then tighten them sequentially like
you
would with lug nuts:
Now let’s continue
with the new rotors. Inspect the piston the pads
slide on. They may be damaged by the pads (Upper sliders too.) Purchase
new pistons or fill the damage by welding and smoothing with a grinder.
Put some anti-seize compound on there. Remove the old pads, the
outboard first and leave the inner pad on for now:
Using a C-clamp and
the old brake pad, carefully force the caliper
piston back. First open the brake fluid reservoir and take care when
forcing it back that it won’t overflow. You can siphon fluid out if it
get’s too high, but do not let any brake fluid touch your paint (it
will eat the paint.)
Then remove the
remaining old brake pad and install the new ones.
Install the brake pad next to the piston first.
Put the caliper aside
and install the new or machined rotor. I put some
anti-seize compound under there first. Clean the new rotor with brake
cleaner and install it on the lugs:
Clean the
caliper bolts and then reinstall the caliper. Great! We're
done with the front:
