Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Brake pad orientation

JackStraw77

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Original poster
Joined
Apr 21, 2021
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6
Location
San Francisco
I just replaced the front pads and rotors on 01 4.0L Sahara and realized when it occurred to me when I was putting the last tire back on that I had installed the pads reverse from the ones that were being replaced, i.e. there's a notch side of the pads that goes around one slider and an open side of the pad so the whole caliper can slide in against the other slider. When I took the caliper off the open side was on top (as in pried the caliper off starting at the top side and pulled up the bottom side). but I put the pads on such that the notch side was on top and the caliper slide finally in on the low side. The outer pad posts fit perfectly into holes in the caliper so it seems as if the pads are bilaterally symmetrical so I'm not sure it makes a difference. Is it worth pulling them back off and switching the set of pads to the other side just so it matches how the old pads were aligned or does it not make a difference? As it is it looks like both pads are aligned around the rotor as normal but not sure if there's any subtle difference.
 
I will just say that brakes is something you want to get 100% right, 100% of the time. Pictures might help readers follow what you are describing. If you’re unsure, don’t drive it as is.
 
You are comparing how your pads went in, as to how someone else put the pads in. It is possible that the pads you took out were in wrong. You could also look at a few photos of how people put in brake pads in your vehicle, or like said, post up a couple of pics.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator