Brake pad replacement- in process and need help
Apologies for sounding short, I'm typing this on my phone. Still 180 miles from home, and I really need a second opinion on my repairs before I make the rest of the drive.
not a SD question, but the sun went down on my repair attempt so I'm now overnighting in Abilene because of this problem and really need help, so I'm putting this in our very active SD forum to try to get a lot of views and hopefully an answer. I'm never leaving my truck at home again

2008 jeep liberty 2wd with disc brakes on each wheel. It has a TSC button by the hazard flashers, but I have no idea what that does, apparently something to do with the brakes though. Rear passenger pad started grumbling really bad today so I pulled the wheel, and sure enough the inner pad was almost 100% gone, down to the backing. Got a $25 set of pads from oreilys to toss on both rear corners to make the drive back to Dallas, but I've never seen jeep disc brakes before and I'm confused.

On my 250 the disc pads have spring clips that mount on the tabs of the pads, that push the pads outwards when you squeeze them together by hand. The jeep pads didn't have these, only pairs of metal slides that fit into the calipers so that the tabs on the pads don't rattle lose in the caliper. No spring clips, no spring to spread the pads, nothing. Parts guy at oreilys said i had everything when i asked him i the clips were missing. What pushes the pads apart to stop them from dragging on the rotors when you let off the pedal? I don't want to drive 180 miles with the pads dragging And heating up the calipers, seems like a great chance for brake failure. Am i being stupid and worrying and should I just drive the thing? Or am I going to have a caliper burn up from this?


I'm gonna do a full front/back replacement when I get back to Dallas and get the parts, but I'm worried about making it that far tomorrow.

 

I'm just a shade tree mechanic and worked on my own vehicles or family and friends for years (Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Mazda, Jeep, Chrysler) but a lot of brake systems I have seen do not have a spring system to return the pads. If there was no springs on the old pads than it's not really needed and in a pinch would function just fine without them. The springs on the pads are mainly used to stop chatter and squeal and really have little or no other effect on the brake system. Make sure to use a brake grease on the slides and pins and you'll be fine. If the new brake pads do not have a backing pad than you can use some brake quiet (orange stuff) if you want to make sure you don't get squealing/chattering.

That's my $0.02. Hope all goes well and good luck! If I wasn't in Ohio I would lend a hand. Post back when you get back up and running.

 

Replaced pads on at least 4 pickups an have never seen the spring you are describing. I always figured that when you stop pushing the brake pedal, the pad eases off the rotor enough to avoid dragging.

Haven't done a jeep, so I can't say for sure, but as far as the Ford pickups, no springs in my experience.

 

99-04 SD's have two springs. One on the top and one on the bottom of the pads. Not sure about the 05+ brake systems.

 

I changed some pads on a Jeep Liberty a few months ago and there weren't any springs on the pads. It's been fine as far as I know of and has about 10K since the pad change. My '01 F250 was the first vehicle that I've changed pads on that had the springs.

 

Maybe It's certain models or trim levels, but I have replaced all four sets of pads, and two rotors on my 02 SD and no springs were in place nor were any provided. (In the last 12 months or so.)

 

Not needed, just a manufactor difference from what you are used to seeing. I used to do brake jobs for a living years ago. There are just too many ways to skin a cat.

As long as you put it back together just like you took it apart you are good to go. Drive it home and then pull a wheel off for some comfort.

If you ate the rotor though you will need to replace it and the pads at the same time to do the job proper.

If it is just some light groves then you should be fine.

 

Ditto on what senix said. I worked on Hondas for 20+ years, at the dealer, and only some of thier models have the "return" springs. It is more of an attempt at squeezing every last bit of fuel mpg vs actual harmfull drag.
Good luck.

Tom.

 

Only the front systems has them and you're suppose to reuse the old ones. I haven't seen replacements with new pads either. They are included in a brake hardware kit though and new calipers.
If you look out the outside edge of the metal stock of the pad it will have a small hole in it. This is suppose to be for the one side of the spring.