🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Your front pads are a wear item, so replacement restores stopping power and helps prevent rotor damage. On your Grand Cherokee, the front caliper must be removed and the piston compressed before the new pads go in.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Keep your fingers clear of the caliper and rotor edges.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use a brake caliper compression tool or large C-clamp to push the piston back in slowly.
• Brake dust can be harmful; wear safety glasses and gloves.
• No battery disconnect is 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 (pair)
• Wheel chocks
• 22mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• High-temperature brake grease
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• If one pad is worn much more than the other, inspect the caliper slides and rotor condition before reassembly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheels

• Use a 22mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts about one turn each.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and support the front end

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your Grand Cherokee at the proper front lift point.
• Place jack stands under both front sides and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Remove the wheels with the 22mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support it with a bungee cord; do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if the pad ears are stuck.
• Remove the old stainless hardware clips from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas.
• Spray the bracket contact surfaces with brake cleaner and let them dry.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Inspect the brake fluid reservoir under the hood before compressing the piston.
• Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Do this slowly and evenly.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 6: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit into the bracket.
• Apply a thin coat of high-temperature brake grease to the pad ears and slide points only.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction material or rotor.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with a 13mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start all lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground.
• Use a 22mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the other front wheel the same way.
• Always replace brake pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Before moving the vehicle, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing, clicking, or grinding.
• For the first 200-300 miles, avoid hard stops to help the pads bed in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$520 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $210-$360 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.