The brakes on a four-wheel-drive vehicle do some heavy work compared with their two-wheel-drive counterparts. That's because four-wheel-drive vehicles typically have larger wheels and tires, causing more rotational mass for the brakes to stop. When the brake pads are changed, the brake rotors will have to be removed so they can be resurfaced or replaced to function well with the new pads. In this case, the project vehicle is a 2002 Jeep Wrangler four-wheel-drive, but the process is similar for other four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Instructions
- 1
Set the head of the jack underneath the front crossmember of the Jeep. Lift up the head of the jack and pick the front wheels off the ground. Put the jack stands under the front of the frame, then lower the Jeep onto the stands. Take off the wheels using the tire iron.
2Unbolt the brake caliper from the front axle using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Lift the caliper off the rotor and hang it from the bungee cord, then hang that from the frame, making sure the brake line is not kinked.
3Remove the screws holding the rotor to the hub using the Phillips screwdriver. Take the rotor off the front hub using both hands.
4Repeat Steps 1 to 3 for the other front wheel.
