When you’re out on the trails, things can get pretty wild. If you drive your Jeep Patriot often and are ready to take it to the next level, then you should consider upgrading different components. One of the most important parts of any car is its brakes because you need them to stop the car. There are various components that make up your brake systems, such as brake fluid, brake pads, and calipers. These three elements combine together effectively so that when you press the pedal, your car responds accordingly. Fortunately, upgrading your Jeep Patriot brakes isn’t too difficult if you know what to look for and where to find them. Depending on how often you drive or where you drive, your Jeep Patriot brake pads might be showing signs of wear and tear already. Here is a guide on how to replace your Jeep Patriot brake pads so that they are good as new again.
How to Check Your Brake Pads
The first thing that you should do when you notice any signs of wear and tear on your brake pads is to check them for wear. To do this, you need to remove the pad from the caliper and check for any signs of damage and wear. If you see some wear but you’re not ready to replace your brake pads just yet, then you can use a grinding stone to sharpen your worn-out brake pads so that they last a little while longer. If your brake pads are completely worn out, then you will notice that they don’t have much material left on them, and they are only about 1/16 of an inch thick. This is when you should replace your brake pads because they are no longer effective, and you might find yourself experiencing longer braking distances. You should also check your rotor whenever you check your brake pads. The rotor is the thin disc that is attached to the wheel of your car and is responsible for creating friction to slow your car down. If you see that the rotor is starting to become thin, then it might be time to replace your rotor as well.
What You Will Need
– Towel or Rag: This can be used to clean off your Jeep Patriot’s rotors and calipers after you have removed the old brake pads. – Caliper tool: This can be used to remove the bolts that are holding the calipers in place so that you can access and remove the old brake pads. – New brake pads and rotors: This is obviously a must since you will be replacing the old ones with new ones. Make sure to get the correct size so that they fit properly. – Wrench: You will need a wrench to tighten the new bolts that are holding the new brake pads in place. – Measuring tape: This is used to measure the rotor size so that you can replace it with a new rotor that fits properly. – Pen: You can use this to mark the location of the new rotor so that you know where to put it.
Step 1: Know When to Replace Your Brake Pads
As we previously mentioned, when the brake pads are completely worn out, you should replace them. However, there are other signs that you might want to look out for as well. If you hear a clicking or grinding sound when applying the brakes, then you might have uneven brake pads. This can be fixed by simply rotating the new brake pads so that they are even again. When you press the brake pedal, you should have a firm feeling that you are pushing it down. You shouldn’t have any sponginess in your brake pedal, and it should feel consistent when you press it down. You should also make sure that your Jeep Patriot is coming to a complete stop when you apply the brakes. If you are experiencing any of these signs, then it might be time to replace your brake pads.
Step 2: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Rotors
Now that you know when to replace your brake pads let’s get to removing the old ones. Start off by jacking up your Jeep Patriot so that you can gain access to the calipers. You can use a jack or a hydraulic jack to do this. Once your Jeep Patriot is lifted off the ground, remove the wheels so that you have more space to work with. Take off the wheel caps, and you will see the calipers attached to the wheel hub. Next, use your caliper tool to remove the bolts that are holding the calipers in place. You will need to remove both calipers so that you can access the old brake pads. Once you have removed the old brake pads and rotors, you can throw them away and put the new ones back in place.
Step 3: Install the New Brake Pads and Rotors
Now that you have new brake pads and rotors on hand, you can begin to install them by following the same steps that you used to remove the old ones. Once you have installed the new brake pads and rotors, you can test your brakes to see if they are working properly. If you are adventurous and enjoy driving your Jeep Patriot in the wild, then you should consider upgrading your Jeep Patriot brakes. With new and improved brakes, you can drive with confidence, knowing that you have a reliable braking system in place. The Jeep Patriot is a great car, but you can make it better by upgrading its important components, such as the brakes.