Brake Job troubles, front locked up!

[peterp1212]

I am just finishing up my brake job and I am having trouble with the front brakes! I have a 2000 TJ with 4.0, disk in the front, I purchased a new set of rotors for the front and everything seem OK (I can spin the rotor with the calipers on no problem before I put on the wheels. When I put the wheels on I they are locked up! Seems like tightening up the wheel forces the rotor back against the rear caliper pad and they lock up! The Checker PN is 7142 RGS. I looked it up on their web site and it seems like the right one!!

Any suggestions or ideas?

[jeepin_in_az]

I am just finishing up my brake job and I am having trouble with the front brakes! I have a 2000 TJ with 4.0, disk in the front, I purchased a new set of rotors for the front and everything seem OK (I can spin the rotor with the calipers on no problem before I put on the wheels. When I put the wheels on I they are locked up! Seems like tightening up the wheel forces the rotor back against the rear caliper pad and they lock up! The Checker PN is 7142 RGS. I looked it up on their web site and it seems like the right one!!

Any suggestions or ideas?

Yes, I know what is wrong. Take your old rotor, and lay it down with the wheel surface on the ground. Take your new one and do the same. Now, measure on the inside. I believe there is a 3/8" difference. You have the wrong rotors. Check for a rotor for a 98, then check for one on a 2001. They should be different part numbers.

[twstdtj]

Mike is exactly right. Time to go back to the parts store, and be safe and bring your old rotor with you

Jeff

[jeepin_in_az]

1998 - Autozone part 5115 (just bought these today for my 90XJ)

2001 - Autozone part 5396.

What ever number checker uses, just have them do the same search for the 2 different years.

[jeepin_in_az]

So...did you get it taken care of?

[peterp1212]

Thanx for the responses! I will be off to checker tomorrow morning first thing for the right ones!

So what my plans are to ask for the rotors from 1999 and 2001 in addition to the year I have (2000) and lay them all out wheel side down at take the smallest (inside measurement) ones. One other question, the price differences betweenthe rotors are anywhere from $22.99 composite (for the ones I bought) to like $69.99 for cast! Is there a significant difference in performance or longevity?

Thanx Peter

[YGOHOME]

for my 04 tj the part number was 5396. I was able to get these from pep boys for about $36 each.... they also carried the more xpensive ones for $70 or so but don't waste your money on them. not sure what the difference was other than the price but the $36 are identicle if not better than stock.

- Ben

ps... there is definately a difference though in the thickness of the rotor material between the model years. My 99 TJ... the hat was like tin whereas the 5396 Part # for my 04 rotors are much thicker. Just bring the rotor with you as suggested and youll you wont have any trouble deciding which is the right one. But I still wouldn't buy the expensive ones.

[peterp1212]

Well, picked up the correct rotors this morning and they went right on with no trouble. While installing them I noticed on of the braded SS brake line was kinked (not sure if I did while working on the brakes or damaged the line while wheeling. So I was just going to pick up another one at 4 wheel supply next time I was in the area. Well while I was breaking in the pads / rotors after getting everything together I was completing my last "hard" stop and guess what! Yes I felt the brake line pop and the pedal went almost to the floor. Thank god I had already adjusted the E brake after I replace the back brakes also this weekend. So I rolled slowly back into my garage looked at the line and verified it had broken right where I saw the kink earlier. So now instead of enjoying the afternoon rolling in the jeep I get to go to 4 wheel supply for a set of brake lines. One to replace the broken on and one spare!

I love my jeep!