Jeep Cherokee Brake Problems

A Jeep Cherokee comes with anti-lock disc brakes on the more recent models. These disc brakes are a wearable component; expect to have brake problems periodically because of general operation of the Jeep. Check the brakes on your Jeep Cherokee regularly to identify common brake problems that inevitably need attention and repair.

Brake Pads

The Jeep Cherokee has brake pads that are located on either side of the brake rotor. When the operator presses on the brake pedal inside the cab, the calipers press the brake pads together, stopping the rotation of the rotors, which stops the Jeep Cherokee. This continuous braking wears the brake pads down during normal operation and requires the brake pads to be replaced because of wear. The brake pads have a wear clip located on the side of the pads that notifies the operator that the brake pads need to be replaced. It does this by squealing when the operator presses on the brake or during normal operation of the vehicle. It is best to replace all four sets of brake pads at the same time to ensure that no other problems occur because some brakes pads are newer than others.

Brake Rotors

The brake rotors are the component parts of the brake that rotate when the wheels are turning and stop when the operator presses down on the brake pedal. These rotors have a groove created by the brake pads over the course of operation of the Jeep Cherokee. The groove created by the brake pads on the rotors needs to be checked to ensure that the rotors are still thick enough to stop the vehicle safely. A brake-measuring device called a caliper can check this thickness. The rotor wear can be repaired by removing the rotors and shaving them down to remove the groove, thereby making them flat or smooth again. This is commonly referred to as turning the rotors. The rotors can also warp if the brake pads are not centered correctly on the rotors or when the rotors overheat, causing them to crack or glaze.

Brake Line or Fluid

The Cherokee must have enough bake fluid to operate the brakes during normal operation of the vehicle. The operator can check the brake fluid level by looking under the hood of the Jeep on the driver's side of the engine and pulling the cap off of the master cylinder reservoir. The Jeep Cherokee can also have air enter into the brake lines of the vehicle, causing the brake pedal to loose tension or pressure. An operator can push on the brake pedal and the pedal will go down easily, lacking pressure. This is caused by air in the lines or a brake line leak. The tires can be pulled off and the brake lines bled to remove the air in the lines. The operator removes the brake line cap screw located behind the brake pads and calipers. Brake fluid can then be put into the master cylinder reservoir under the hood of the Cherokee while someone pushes on the brake pedal. This pushes the brake fluid through the brake lines, removing the air and causing a continuous flow of brake fluid.