When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
1990 XJ Front pads... The inner pads ( the ones that clip to the piston) are offset by near 1/4 inch compared to the outer pads. The offset is such that a lip is forming on the inside edge of the inner pads, see photographs...
The outer pads are well centered over the rotor, but the inner pads are offset about 1/4 inch inward and thus are not centered over the rotor, thus the lip is being created.
I assume this is not correct, perhaps these inner pads had their clip that holds them into the piston attached in the wrong place? What to you all think?
Anyway I will be buying new pads. Recommendations? I have 33 inch tires and drive very very steep hills at times. I want extremely good pads, I have no concern for noise reduction, brake dust reduction, nor even rotor wear. I simply want the best braking brake pad brand.
I heard EBC Yellow pads are supposed to be very good ( ie better than most) for stopping grips, is that true? Are other brands highly recommended? I know pad type can make a huge difference, so what are best stopping pad types for our XJ's?
These pads shown were included free with some rebuilt calipers I got, I think they are cheapo pads, and perhaps made incorrectly in regards to the piston to pad mounting clip location. I got what I paid for I suppose, ugh! ridge created on inner pad do to it being offset from being centered over the rotor. Clip on pad that attaches the pad to the piston, perhaps this clip is attached in the wrong location on the back of the pad? The offset between the outer pad (left in photo) and inner pad (right in photo) is seen here. The ridge is also evident on the inner pad.
That's quite odd looking but the clip looks like it's holding the pad pretty central to the caliper piston. I can't imagine it being designed for the piston to push off centre. Have you compared the rebuilt calipers to your olds to make sure everything looks right?
Also while you're on the job of front brakes, on the knuckle where the pads sit, check for any grooves that have begun to wear in. It'd be a shame to have a set of new pads fitted and the grooves cause issues like I had. The fix is to fill in the grooves with some weld and file flat.
Also while you're on the job of front brakes, on the knuckle where the pads sit, check for any grooves that have begun to wear in. It'd be a shame to have a set of new pads fitted and the grooves cause issues like I had. The fix is to fill in the grooves with some weld and file flat.
This is my first thought. How deep are the knuckles worn?
Looks like the offset inner pad problem cause is found, and it ain't the pad. The knuckle is worn out, the brake pad slides are cast into the knuckle and as can be seen in the photographs, they is worn where the inner pads contact them.
I assume the fix is replacement of knuckle, or else weld and grind to repair. Maybe spit some weld from the MIG there to fill the low spots, then grind to shape? You all think that will be an effective fix, to MIG weld and grind?
See the wear on both upper and lower brake pad slides / guides. The outer pad locations are not worn much, but the inner pad locations are heavily worn The lower brake pad slide / guide showing wear, inner pad location at top of photo.
You got it. Grind it down first to get some good bare metal, then weld and grind flush. Use a flapper disc to finish/polish. It's so incredibly common on the D30. I've actually never seen any other D30 axle without knuckle wear in that spot. Well, I did when they were still new...
edit:
Forgot to mention, I'd lightly sand the pads to get rid of the lip. Looks like you have enough meat on the pads.
unknown, they came with the rebuilt calipers I got, the calipers were AC Delco Remanufactured brand, blue and white box. But it appears the issue is my worn slides / guides on the knuckle that the pads ride on.
This probably gave me wheel drag, that ridge worn like that, and reduced braking do to reduced braking area.
Looks like the offset inner pad problem cause is found, and it ain't the pad. ...the inner pad locations are heavily worn
IMO not enough to cause the issue you have. The clips should be able to hold the pads in proper position (they'll pivot a little) but the ones on your pads look like cheap sheet metal.
That said, can't hurt to fix the divots.
THAT said, I've simply been grinding mine down for years, as the real problem occurs when they bind and overheat and haven't seen that yet.
IMO not enough to cause the issue you have. The clips should be able to hold the pads in proper position (they'll pivot a little) but the ones on your pads look like cheap sheet metal.
That said, can't hurt to fix the divots.
THAT said, I've simply been grinding mine down for years, as the real problem occurs when they bind and overheat and haven't seen that yet.
you can see in my pad, and the Omix ada pad that the middle clip leg of three is the strong springy one and it pushes the pad inward, the inward direction my pad is wearing the ridge on.
So what are the other clip designs for our XJ caliper pads? What do the better centering clips look like?
Not only does this three legged spring clip assembly have to be riveted precisely to the pad backing, the clip must be precisely formed, with proper spring temper for the right amount of force to put the pad where needed, centered over the disc! Since that one long leg clip pushes in one direction, the force it applies controls the pad centering.
As for pad recommendations, I'd point you toward Hawk LTS pads. A little dusty, but they've got good bite and fade resistance. I don't have personal experience with EBC pads, though I know they're another quality brand.
I agree, the wear looks typical to me. The rotor looks worn out to close to the edge like normal, which makes it seem like the pad is positioned correctly. Are you sure you have the correct rotors installed?
In this photo, it's clear that that pad has an issue even without the influence of worn steering knuckles:
In re: replacement pads I use Durolast from AutoZone. They have a lifetime warranty. Over the years I've saved a boatload of $$$.
IMO which pad you use makes no difference in how you stop. If somebody can provide peer-reviewed data that one pad is better than another re: stopping distance then great. But brakes are a system. Unless the entire system is optimized you won't get maximum stopping power. So rather than buying Super Supremo Kryptonite Heavy Duty Emperor Laser Pads look for other areas. For instance the rubber hoses.
And if it's been 20 years since a brake fluid flush do that (brake fluid is hydrophilic).
It may be worth it to get a decent quality rotor. Forget holes and slots.
Mopar used to have a complete kit that was priced very competitively in order to complete with AZ, O'Reilly, etc.
03-31-2021, 01:37 PM
Bad Front Brake Pad Wear
