Your Jeep's disc pads clamp down on the wheels' rotors, stopping them when you apply the brakes. The friction gradually wears down the pads till you must replace them. Though the Jeep Compass's dashboard indicators warn of several brake malfunctions, such as fluid leaks, they will not tell you when to change your disc pads. Instead, Chrysler recommends you inspect the Compass's brake linings every 12,000 miles, or every 12 months, replacing the brake pads if they appear worn.
Lift the car's hood and prop it up to access the engine compartment.
Locate the master cylinder. This is a metal or plastic component on the driver's side of the engine near the firewall. Four hoses, the brake lines, connect to it.
Insert one end of the siphon into the master cylinder. Draw out all the brake fluid.
Lift and support one of the Jeep's corners with the jack.
Remove the wheel's bolts with the tire iron. Remove the wheel.
Identify the brake caliper. This steel assembly clamps on the rotor, the metal disc behind the wheel.
Lift the brake caliper away from the rotor.
Use the brake caliper tool to retract the caliper assembly's pistons. This frees the disc pads.
Remove the worn ceramic disc pads from the assembly.
Insert the new disc pads in their place.
Remove the brake caliper tool, allowing the pistons to return back into their former position.
Return the caliper assembly to the rotor. Install the wheel and tire.
Repeat steps 4 to 12 with the remaining wheels.
Pour the brake fluid back into the master cylinder.
