Should I replace total front brakes or just parts?

[TJartist]

I have a question concerning the replacement of the front brake parts. I have a 1997 TJ 4l 6 cycl. I recently purchased it a so don't know the past history of repairs etc. I had a local community college do a vehicle inspection on it an it came back pretty solid. Most issue was the replacing of the front u joints as one is fairly loose and doing the front brakes. I believe the college would just like to machine the rotors (if they can) and replace the brake pads and rusty brake hoses. Since it is close to 25 years old I would think and like to simply put all new: rotors, calipers, brake pads and brake lines. It seems to me that it would be simpler and more cost effective to just replace as one unit rather than use old parts (calipers/rotors). After reading the links here about the rear brakes I am not so sure I want to go there. So any comments are welcome as well as suggestions on which parts are best. My jeep is strictly on road so I won't need to worry about mud/crud etc.
thanks

 

[Terry from Texas]

There is nothing wrong with just replacing just the worn out parts and keeping the serviceable ones. We do it every day and it is considered completely allowed and within industry standard for the automotive industry but if you have the money and wish the peace of mind to know that you have completely new brakes then that is a personal decision. My recommendation is to only use quality parts though. You can search this forums. There is some very good information here.

 

[Steel City 06]

Personally I would just replace the parts that need replacing, unless you have a need to do a full swap, or have a desire to upgrade the brakes. If it were my car, I would probably just get new rotors versus machining, but would leave the calipers and everything else assuming it is in good condition.

I would recommend fully flushing the brake fluid if the history of the fluid is not known. Brake fluid absorbs water over time, resulting in accelerated corrosion in the lines and components. Fresh fluid halts that corrosion and also reduces the odds of boiling brake fluid. Any Dot 3 or Dot 4 fluid is fine. (Dot 5 should not be used.) Dot 4 is preferable, but there is no strong need to spend extra money to get it. (Dot 4 has a higher boiling point over Dot 3.)

If you're running 33" or larger tires, you could consider a big brake kit, which would replace and significantly upgrade everything. Anything smaller than a 33" tire I would be hesitant to install a big brake kit, as it may be a waste of money for that overkill. (If you think you're likely to install larger tires in the future, then it might be worth considering.)

 

[TheBoogieman]

Rotors are cheap. Replace them with some BM brakes and read the directions carefully.

 

[Irun]

I'm a fan of doing things once. New Centric rotors, Raybestos Element3 Calipers, and Black Magic Pads. Both the Centric rotors and Raybestos calipers, linked below, are coated, to keep them looking good for a while. The Element3 calipers are new, not rebuilt, and have served me well on three different jeeps, and a couple other vehicles. The hoses should be replaced as well, but I didn't pick one. FWIW, Black Magic Brakes also has a handy little brake bleeding lock-out tool, which can be seen in the last link

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8466232&cc=1185285&pt=1704&jsn=1000
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8466240&cc=1185285&pt=1704&jsn=1001
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=10901892&cc=1185285&pt=1896&jsn=1023
https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.c...77-Upgrade-to-Stock-Brake-Pads-F-BMBP-477.htm
https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.com/Brake-Bleeding-Lock-out-Tool-BBLOT.htm

 

[TJartist]

thanks that is what I am looking for. The community college will do all the labor , I will just have to pay for the parts. I 'd rather do it once when they have it than have to pay big bucks later for some dealer to do it. And yes I know I could do most of this myself, but as I get older, there simply is not enough time to do everything. It is hard to have to let go and let someone else do the work, but I am over whelmed. thanks again for all the help. this is a great forum.