Remember - if your brakes don't stop your Jeep, something else will.
Braking is a key part of driving, and having a Jeep Wrangler means that you should be able to stop on a dime. The new Jeep Wrangler JL is an incredible vehicle with all sorts of modern technology, but it's still your responsibility to maintain your brakes so that they will last for many years. Here are some easy steps you can take today to improve your braking!
For JK owners check out our Jeep JK Power Stop Brakes Kit.
Brake Components
To understand how to improve your Jeep's brake performance, you need to know what constitutes your brake system. There are several key components, including brake calipers, brake pads, rotors, and lines.
Let's take a look at each of these in turn:
Brake Calipers
Brake calipers are the part of your vehicle that houses the brake pads and pistons that move when you press down on your pedal. If you have issues with your Jeep's ability to stop quickly or smoothly under various conditions such as rain or snow, it could be because of worn-out or ineffective calipers.
If your JK has calipers that still function fine, you can clean up the look without replacing them with caliper covers from Rough Country.
Brake Pads
Brake pads help transfer kinetic energy from the spinning rotor into heat. Worn-out brakes will cause squeaking sounds from both sides of your tires when turning corners because there isn't enough friction between the rotor and pad surfaces, resulting in poorer stopping power than usual (even if all four wheels are properly inflated). Over time, this causes uneven wear patterns, further decreasing your Jeep's performance.
Check out our z36 brake pads.
Brake Lines
Brake lines are the tubes that connect your brake master cylinder to the brake calipers. They're made of rubber and steel, and are designed to be flexible enough to withstand repeated pressure changes. Over time, though, your Jeep's brake lines can become brittle or even cracked—which can lead to leaks in your braking system.
Interested in lifting your Jeep JK? Check out our extended steel brake lines from Rough Country.
A leak is bad news because it means you may have lost some braking power until you fix this issue! This can be especially dangerous if driving on dry roads where there isn't much moisture available for wet friction between tires and pavement.
The most common causes of leaking brake lines include age-related wear & tear (e.g., corrosion caused by humidity) and over-extension due to too much usage under high temperatures.
Brake Line Brackets
Brake line brackets are used to attach brake lines to the frame. These brackets are important for safety and performance. There are a variety of sizes available, so you can find one that fits your Jeep Wrangler perfectly.
Sometimes it’s also necessary to relocate your brake hose with new brake line brackets.
Brake Rotors
Brake rotors are the most critical part of your Jeep's braking system. They are the unsung hero of your Jeep. If you have been experiencing poor braking, it is probably due to worn-out or damaged brake rotors. Your Jeep's brake rotors come in two main varieties: cast iron or aluminum.
Check out Power Stop AutoSpecialty Brake Rotors.
Cast-iron rear and front discs are standard on stock Jeeps, while most aftermarket suppliers offer cast-iron or forged aluminum front discs. Carbon ceramic brake rotors can be fitted as an option on some newer Jeeps for very high-performance levels, but these require special care when used off-roading.
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