In article , infiniteMPG wrote: #I have a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 and it's in need of new #brake pads. I used to do all my own work on my vehicles up until you #needed a bazillion specialy tools and a $10K computer to replace #something. My Jeep needs brakes and I was wondering if anyone knew if #there's anything special to consider when doing that on this vehicle #or is it the same old replace, bleed and go deal? Don't want to get #into anything I can't finish but if it's 1/4 the price to do it #myself, I am more then willing to take the time.
Replace, bleed and go for the most part...
Make sure you get teves pads if you have teves calipers and akebono pads if you have akebono calipers. If you have teves calipers, consider upgrading to akebono calipers. If you upgrade, get new rotors. Take the teves calipers and put them on your TJ. WJ teves are a upgrade for the TJ.
Don't chince out on the rotors. The made-in-china-inc junk will warp and warp and warp. Don't bother with vented or slotted rotors--most of them are made-in-china-inc junk with holes and slots in them so they will crack or warp on you that much faster.
If you turn the rotors, you MUST match-mark them so that you can put them back on exactly as they came off. DC says to use a on-the-car turning machine... Unless you have a rotor that looks like a record alblum from hell, you don't need to turn. And if you do, I would just say screw it and get new rotors.
Use a torque wrench for the bolts.
The manual says the bolts that hold the caliper in place are single-use but I've never seen a shop or dealer use new ones unless it was a teves to akebono upgrade (the kit comes with new bolts). YMMV.
It's all metric after you get the lug nuts off.
/herb