The procedure to remove the brake pads on a Jeep Wrangler has remained virtually unchanged for years. Whether you're removing the pads to clean and lube the front brakes or if you're replacing the pads, you can save a lot of money on labor charges by doing the project yourself.
Park the Jeep Wrangler on a paved level surface. Apply the parking brake. Place a wheel chock behind one of the rear tires.
Break the lug nuts loose on the front left wheel using the breaking bar and a socket.
Lift the left front quarter of the Wrangler with the floor jack and place a jack stand under the control arm to support the Jeep. Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
Place the small pry bar into the front caliper porthole and pry the outboard pad against the rotor to relieve tension from the caliper piston. Pry enough to loosen the pressure and allow the caliper to move freely on the slides.
Locate the two caliper bolts (on the backside of the caliper); remove the upper one first then the lower one using the ratchet and a socket.
Remove the caliper. The pads are clipped to the caliper. Bend the coat hanger to make a makeshift hanger and support the caliper to the chassis of the Wrangler so it does not dangle from the brake hose.
Remove the outboard pad first by prying the clips off of the outside caliper housing. If you're reusing the pads, be careful not to bend the clips. If you're replacing the pads, bend the clips to make it easier to remove.
Remove the inboard pad by pulling its hardware clips from the inside bore of the caliper piston.
Compress the caliper piston into the caliper housing until it bottoms out using a C-clamp if you're replacing the pads. Clean the caliper bridge points where the backing plate of the pads contact it and apply a coat of brake lubricant. Use the acid brush and be careful not to get the lubricant on the surface of the rotor.
To replace pads, reverse the process. Repeat the steps for the right side if desired. Torque the lug nut bolts to 100 foot pounds when the Wrangler is back on the ground. Pump the foot brake pedal before driving to restore the hydraulic pressure back to the compressed caliper pistons. Remove the wheel chock.
