🔧 Renegade - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the front wheels, unbolt the brake calipers and brackets, replace the rotors, then install new pads and reassemble with proper torque. This restores safe stopping power, reduces vibration, and prevents metal-on-metal damage.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

Assumption: factory single-piston front calipers with rotor retaining screw.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground and support the Renegade with jack stands before going underneath.
• 🛑 Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• 🛑 Brakes may contain dust—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🛑 Brake fluid can damage paint—wipe spills immediately.
• 🛑 Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (1/2" drive, 20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 19mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" or 1/2")
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6")
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Dead-blow hammer
• Phillips screwdriver
• Brake cleaner spray
• Drip pan

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit (pad clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Medium-strength threadlocker (blue) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• 🧰 Loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn before lifting the Renegade.
• 🧰 Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (set it loosely on top). This helps the caliper piston compress. Keep an eye on the fluid level so it doesn’t overflow.
• 🧰 “Slide pins” are the two bolts that let the caliper move; they must move smoothly and be lightly greased.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the approved front lift point.
• Set the Renegade onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).

Step 2: Remove the front wheels

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar (1/2") to remove lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them aside.

Step 3: Remove the caliper (do not let it hang)

• Turn the steering for better access (left for right side, right for left side).
• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the caliper outward if it’s tight.
• Hang the caliper from the strut spring using a bungee cord. Never hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove pad clips/hardware using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad “lands” (where the clips sit) using a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar (1/2") to remove the two caliper bracket bolts (these are usually tight).
• Set the bracket aside.
• During reassembly: apply medium-strength threadlocker (blue) to clean bracket bolt threads and Torque to 110 Nm (81 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If equipped, remove the rotor retaining screw using a Phillips screwdriver.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If stuck, tap the rotor hat with a dead-blow hammer until it breaks free.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor braking surfaces with brake cleaner spray (removes shipping oil).
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, reinstall the retaining screw using a Phillips screwdriver and snug it. Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Service the slide pins and reinstall the caliper bracket

• Remove each slide pin (one at a time) and wipe clean. Use nitrile gloves.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease and reinstall the pins so they move smoothly.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket using the 18mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 110 Nm (81 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips from the hardware kit by pressing them into the bracket by hand.
• Add a very light film of brake caliper slide pin grease on pad ears where they touch the clips (do not get grease on the pad friction surface).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 10: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston face (protects the piston).
• Use a C-clamp (6") to slowly press the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir level as you compress. Use a drip pan under the reservoir area if needed.
• A “piston” is the round part that pushes the pads; it must be fully seated for new thicker pads.

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper over the new pads and align the slide pin bolt holes.
• Install slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the Renegade from the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Use a torque wrench (1/2" drive, 20-200 ft-lbs range) with a 19mm socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 149 Nm (110 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm before moving the Renegade.
• 🧪 Check the brake fluid level and reinstall the reservoir cap securely.
• 🧪 Start the engine and confirm the pedal stays firm.
• 🧪 Test at low speed first. Listen for scraping or grinding.
• 🧪 Pad bedding (recommended): make 6-10 moderate stops from 40 mph to 10 mph, allowing 30-60 seconds between stops. Avoid hard stops while stationary.
• 🧪 Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$470 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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