1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Introduction

If you are experiencing poor braking performance and or a noise when braking, then it may be time to replace your brake pads.

Applies to most Jeeps with disc brakes, including Cherokee (front), all Grand Cherokees, Liberty, and Wrangler.

Follow this video tutorial by YouTuber FreedivejeepHD to complete the replacement yourself.

What you need

Video Overview

Step 1 Brake Pad

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement, Brake Pad: step 1, image 1 of 1

With the transmission in park, firmly set the parking brake
source.

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Step 2

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

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Step 3

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
source.

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Step 4

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
source.

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Step 5

Before jacking the wheel and tire assembly off the ground, loosen the lug nuts about one quarter turn each
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Step 6

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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Step 7

Position your jack stand under the axle tube between the lower control arm mount and the sway bar bushing bracket
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Step 8

Carefully lower the axle onto the jack stand, ensuring it will be stable and secure
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Step 9

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
source.

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Step 10

Before removing the old brake pads, spread newspaper below the work area
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Step 11

Using a brake cleaning solvent of your choice, remove all brake dust residue from the work area
source
Wear safety glasses during this step
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Step 12

After the solvent has flashed off, remove the two protective caps that cover the brake caliper mounting bolts
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Step 13

To remove the brake pads, first compress the brake caliper piston back into the brake caliper using a large C-clamp
source
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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Step 14

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

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
source.

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Step 15

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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Step 16

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

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

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Step 17

Gently pry the little clips off with a screwdriver
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Step 18

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3

Remove the caliper, inner brake pad, and outer brake pad
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Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose
source; instead, place it on the control arm after removing the inner brake pad
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Step 19

The outer brake pad just slides off through the grooves in the caliper mounting bracket
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Step 20

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

Clean the brake caliper and caliper mounting bracket of any braking residue
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Step 21

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 21, image 3 of 3

Apply anti-squeal compound to the backing of the new brake pads
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Step 22

Reinstall the new brake pad in the caliper
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Step 23

Apply a small amount of anti-squeal compound to the caliper mounting brackets
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Step 24

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 24, image 3 of 3

Install the new outer brake pad by sliding it into the respective grooves of the caliper mounting bracket
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Step 25

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 25, image 3 of 3

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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Step 26

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 26, image 3 of 3

Clean the caliper mounting bolts off with solvent and paper towels
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Step 27

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 27, image 3 of 3

Apply a thin coat of high-temperature disc brake grease to the smooth sliding surface of the bolts before reinstallation
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Step 28

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 28, image 3 of 3

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

Reinstall the wheel and tire assembly
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Step 31

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement: step 31, image 3 of 3

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

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Step 32

After lowering the vehicle to the ground, re-torque the lug nuts to 95 foot-pounds.

Edit

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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2 Comments

So there is the option for the teves or akebono on these jeeps…what I am assuming is the teves have the wire that has to be detached as shown in this video, correct? I’d like to verify before I purchase the wrong parts and have to return the parts. Any help that you could provide to me would be great, thanks.

harrye04 - Sep 19, 2018 Reply

Very good video overall. May I suggest #1) use a breaker bar to loosen and remove lug nuts, always pushing DOWN on bar instead of pulling UP . Pulling UP compresses your spine and can aggravate or injure folks, especially us older grease monkeys. #2) we usually do not replace brake pads without regrinding brake rotors first, but overall a VERY good video. Oh and nitrile gloves are a great way to protect hands from solvents ect. Thanks!! T.N.

anewmantnt - Jan 11, 2019 Reply

1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Brake Pad Replacement

Introduction

What you need

Video Overview

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