How Brakes Work
Brakes slow your car by dynamically forcing brake pads to the brake rotors. This creates friction to slow your Grand Cherokee.
Brake Rotors
Brake Rotors are round and thin components secured to each wheel. Most rotors are built of cast iron. There are other choices for different applications but cast iron can absorb and emit large amounts of heat at an affordable price. Rotors wear as you put miles on your car; when they reach the factory-recommended wear limit, we recommend replacement. As the rotors get thinner, the rotor can’t handle enough heat for a safe emergency stop. We recommend the replacement of rotors along with brake pads. New brake pads leave some of their material on the rotors as part of the bedding-in process. New brake pads may not work well with worn rotors with a layer of different pad material deposited.
Brake Pads
Most brake pads are constructed of composite fibers. These OEM pads give good stopping ability, extended wear, and smooth, noiseless braking. There are other pad materials, such as semi-metallic, for special conditions such as heavily laden SUVs. Brake pads are housed in calipers encompassing the rotors.
Brake Calipers
The active parts of each caliper are pistons. Brake caliper pistons bear on the brake pads on one side and have brake fluid on the other. When the brake fluid is pressurized by the master cylinder, the fluid pressures the pistons against the pads, which rub against the rotors causing the friction to slow your car.
Master Cylinder
The master cylinder is mounted on the engine side of the firewall. A lever connects it to the brake pedal. The master cylinder has a piston that compresses brake fluid routed to the calipers when forced by the brake pedal.
Brake Lines
Brake lines join the master cylinder to the calipers and contain brake fluid to convey the pressure created at the master cylinder to the caliper pistons.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid delivers the force from the master cylinder to the calipers. Old brake fluid becomes polluted. These contaminations cause old brake fluid to boil under harsh conditions leading to brake fade. We suggest every two-year drain and fill service.
Wear Sensors
Brake wear sensors caution drivers that brake pads are worn to an unsafe amount. When your pads wear to the limit, grinding sounds can be heard from the vicinity of the wheel. These noises are the wear sensors alerting you to the need for brake service.
Brake Inspections
We advise yearly brake inspections. We will place your Jeep on our lift so the entire brake system can be scrutinized to catch troubles before they strand you.
Brake parts are considered everyday wear items. A Jeep dealer will not honor the factory warranty to replace brake parts. We can beat dealer brake job prices.
Call us or visit our website to see the considerable difference between us and the dealer service department for brake repair or any maintenance you require.
