Changing Brake Pads - Question

[BoyNamedSue]

When I changed my front brake pads is it normal that I had to compress the piston before removing the caliper from the rotor? There was no way it was coming off otherwise. The pads were tight up against the rotors.

I was thinking today that that doesn't seem right. Doesn't that mean my brake pads would have been rubbing against my rotors all the time?

Also on each wheel I had one thin pad and one thicker pad (about twice as thick). Is that normal?

_________________
2007 Jeep Liberty Sport
Not Just Red..............Inferno Red !
Automatic, 4WD
Mopar Skids, Tow Hooks

 

[liberty84]

about having to compress them mine always slips right off, and about one been more worn out than the other; I had experienced that too, thought was normal

 

[Porkchop]

Yes as the pad wears out the piston comes out and brake fuid level goes down
and as the piston is on one side a little uneven wear is normal but clean and a little hi temp lube on the slide points will help. When you compress the piston brake fluid will rise do not over fill.

 

[tjkj2002]

Never add brake fluid,never let any place "top off" your brake fluid since it is a brake wear indicator.

 

[Porkchop]

Just thought if old rotor was blue in color (form heat) could be a sticky piston and the caliper would have to be changed as the piston just takes off the pressure when you take your foot off the brake. But then it would be hard to compress piston when putting on new pads.

 

[BoyNamedSue]

Just thought if old rotor was blue in color (form heat) could be a sticky piston and the caliper would have to be changed as the piston just takes off the pressure when you take your foot off the brake. But then it would be hard to compress piston when putting on new pads.

The old rotor wasn't blue. Had all kinds of grooves on it though. I put new rotors on, so
they're smooth now at least for a while. So everybody's caliper usually just comes right off?

I got all the bolts off and worked that caliper back & forth and pulled on it and wiggled it and pulled some more until I was worn out. Then my friend saw a video on youtube of someone compressing a caliper before removing it. I did that and the brake pads backed away from the rotor and then it came off easily.

When I put the caliper back on I lubed the pins, but I noticed when I took them out they were totally dry..........no lube at all. I'm not sure if that's normal or not either.

 

[Porkchop]

C-Clamp works good if done correctly. and for the lube time wear disapation amount bla bla bla
and how true Tj If I had a dime every time, well you know.

 

[JeepJeepster]

If it had deep grooves in the rotors that could be why it wouldnt come off. Mine always slide right off without any issues but my rotors are nice and smooth.

You would quickly notice if you had a sticky caliper. Wouldnt take long before you started to smell the brakes.

 

[ephantmon]

I had to compress mine with a C-clamp. My rotors weren't too grooved, minor at most. My Haynes manual specifically said to compress the piston before removing the caliper.

 

[Porkchop]

I had to compress mine with a C-clamp. My rotors weren't too grooved, minor at most. My Haynes manual specifically said to compress the piston before removing the caliper.

C-Clamp works good if done correctly.
This is correct

 

[Mangate]

As the rotors wear there will probably be a slight lip on the outer edge, were the pads do not reach. Just twist the caliper in towards the diff and out the other way before trying to pull it off. This will push the piston back into the caliper enough for it to come off easily. To me this is normal with most vehicles.

 

[beartard]

C-clamps work well and are pretty much the standard way to compress the piston. I think Jeep was nice in giving us well-placed slots so that a small pry-bar can do the trick before even loosening the caliper. IIRC, I think that's even how the FSM says to do it.