Brakes 101: Tips for replacing brakes on my TJ?

[Thunderhead]

So, what is brakes 101? I’m on original brakes at 110 k miles. My old school father in law and I have removed the calipers with a thick flat head and no negative consequences came from it. So ? What are the steps to do it correctly; to install my new brakes on my rubicon and flush my system @mrblaine ?

 

[toximus]

Are you replacing calipers or pads only?

 

[Thunderhead]

Pads only.

 

[toximus]

Before retracting your calipers (ie. before you remove the calipers), you should have bleed off some brake fluid. This keeps little particles from seizing your calipers later. If you didn't do this friends and I have found you have a 50/50 chance of them seizing (where we live anyway). [It sounds like you already took the calipers off, so before retracting them open the bleeder so the fluid will evacuate as the piston compresses.]

You don't need any special brake bleeding kits. Use a bottle connected to soft hose. Have somebody in the driver's seat press the brakes while you open and close the bleeder valve. Keep going until you either have no air bubbles in the system (you shouldn't have any since you are only replacing the pads) or until you see fresh fluid coming out.

Watch the level of brake fluid in your MC and keep topping it up with DOT 3.

I personally like to replace rotors each time I replace pads. That's pretty straight forward, just put on the new one the way the old one came off. Wash them before installing with a soap like simple green or dawn.

While you still have the old brake pads you can retract the caliper piston by placing an old pad against the piston and using a clamp to push it back in.

Load up new pads into the caliper and slide it back over the rotor. If you have a new rotor it may take some force to get it to slide over. After you get it on you will need to line up the caliper mounting bolts — be careful that you get them aligned before starting the bolts so that you don't crossthread them.

 

[glwood]

I recently took my front brakes all apart to clean and lube everything. I did not put new pads, as mine were not worn enough to replace. The only thing I made sure to do is watch the brake fluid level in the master cylinder, as when you compress the caliper pistons, the fluid level will rise, and overflow if you compress a lot. I just compressed the pistons enough to get the calipers back on. It all went without issue. Mine was a simple remove/clean/replace, but if I was putting on new pads and rotors, I would have done it as outlined by @toximus above.

 

[Thunderhead]

Before retracting your calipers (ie. before you remove the calipers), you should have bleed off some brake fluid. This keeps little particles from seizing your calipers later. If you didn't do this friends and I have found you have a 50/50 chance of them seizing (where we live anyway). [It sounds like you already took the calipers off, so before retracting them open the bleeder so the fluid will evacuate as the piston compresses.]

You don't need any special brake bleeding kits. Use a bottle connected to soft hose. Have somebody in the driver's seat press the brakes while you open and close the bleeder valve. Keep going until you either have no air bubbles in the system (you shouldn't have any since you are only replacing the pads) or until you see fresh fluid coming out.

View attachment 67454

Watch the level of brake fluid in your MC and keep topping it up with DOT 3.

I personally like to replace rotors each time I replace pads. That's pretty straight forward, just put on the new one the way the old one came off. Wash them before installing with a soap like simple green or dawn.

While you still have the old brake pads you can retract the caliper piston by placing an old pad against the piston and using a clamp to push it back in.

Load up new pads into the caliper and slide it back over the rotor. If you have a new rotor it may take some force to get it to slide over. After you get it on you will need to line up the caliper mounting bolts — be careful that you get them aligned before starting the bolts so that you don't crossthread them.

Perfect ! what size is that wrench for the bleeder ?

 

[toximus]

Perfect ! what size is that wrench for the bleeder ?

I can't remember off the top of my head. If you don't have one, you can use a socket to loosen it and tighten it. Use a regular wrench for the bleeding process.