SKBoard

I'm sure this is a stupid question. Has anyone replaced their brake pads and started pulling to one side? I replaced my front pads only and now my jeep pulls to the right and the left seems like its overheating. It only happens after the brakes warm up. I know it's not the brake lines collapsing because I installed ss extended brake line a month ago. This ONLY started since I replaced the pads. Any suggestions before I go buy new rotors and calipers?

IJM

I'll bet you ten bucks there's a groove worn into the knuckle where the pad backing plates slide along. It's hanging up on one side.

BlueRidgeMark

Which is it? Did you brake something or are you having a problem with your breaks?

SKBoard

Problems with my brakes. After changing them it pulls to the right. I see the typo sorry for the confusion.

SKBoard

Any fix to this or do i need to buy a new knuckle?

IJM

It's most likely fixable. Do a search for grooved knuckles, as there's way more info on that fix than I can provide. A lot of people recommend filling the divot with weld material and grinding it flat. If it's not too bad, you may just be able to file or grind it flat without losing too much material. Here's what you're looking for (not my pic):
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Sarah DuPont

so that spot is supposed to be flat?
o jist redid my brakes all around and they're not properly engaging. they try but don't make full contact. almost seems like the fronts are the boss and theure not hitting their mark and its almost skipping along the rotor. rear drums don't seem to do sht. yes I bled them plz suggestions

IJM

Yeah, they should be flat all the way across so the pads can slide in and out freely as they wear.

dave1123

Most newer cars have removable caliper brackets and SS wear clips to prevent that kind of wear. On the XJ, they are part of the knuckle and you need to replace the entire knuckle to fix, unless you weld up the grooves. The knuckle has the ball joint attachment points, the hub bearing mounting hole, and the steering linkage attachment arm as one forged piece.

XJlimitedx99

I had to weld up the grooves on my knuckles. What an oversight that design is.

How are your calipers? Did you lube the slides when you had them apart?

SKBoard

How are your calipers? Did you lube the slides when you had them apart?[/QUOTE]

Mine we're good. I did lube up the sliders. I have a grove in my knuckle. I took a paint stripper wheel and got all the rust off and filed the edge of the groove until I can call my buddy with a welder. Is it a good idea to put a little bit of grease on the knuckle to help the pads slide? This is my first time hearing about this problem.

IJM

Yeah. There's a special high-temp brake caliper grease you can get at your local auto parts store. It's the same stuff you're supposed to use on the sliders.