Disc Brakes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Jeep Patriot and 2009 Jeep Compass. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

There are several brake packages available featuring either a disc/drum combination or a disc/disc combination.

"16-inch" vented front disc/"9-inch" rear drum with ESP (BRJ)
"16-inch" vented front disc/"14-inch" solid rear disc with ESP (BRF)
EXPORT ONLY - "16-inch" vented front disc/"16-inch" solid rear disc with ESP (BR1)

NOTE: Refer to REAR DRUM BRAKES for information on the "9-inch" rear drum brakes.

"16-INCH" FRONT DISCS

"16-inch" front disc brakes (so called because they are designed to fit inside 16-inch or larger wheels) feature 2.2 inch (57 mm) single-piston floating calipers acting on 11.5 x 1.0 in. (294 x 26 mm) vented disc rotors.

"14-INCH" REAR DISCS

"14-inch" rear disc brakes (so called because they are designed to fit inside 14-inch or larger wheels) feature 1.4 inch (35 mm) single-piston floating calipers acting on 10.3 x 0.39 in. (262 x 10 mm) solid disc rotors.

"16-INCH" REAR DISCS

"16-inch" rear disc brakes (so called because they are designed to fit inside 16-inch or larger wheels) feature 1.4 inch (35 mm) single-piston floating calipers acting on 11.8 x 0.39 in. (302 x 10 mm) solid disc rotors.

Each disc brake assembly consists of the following major components:

Caliper
Caliper adapter bracket
Pads (Shoe and lining assemblies)
Rotor

All calipers are the low-drag type. New technology caliper construction allows minimal drag of the pads on the discs with low clearance to the rotors to maintain maximum pedal feel and responsiveness.

All calipers are coated, giving them a bright appearance. This coating offers corrosion protection and a long-term neat appearance. Steel pistons are used in all calipers.

Fig 1: Caliper Guide Pin Bolts

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

The main difference between the two front disc brakes packages are rotor size (diameter) and caliper adapter bracket (1) length.

The caliper guide pin bolts are of special interest. There are two different caliper guide pin bolts used at each brake caliper, one of which has a special sleeve at the tip of the guide pin. It is there for anti-rattle and noise suppression issues and must be placed correctly to work properly. At each front brake caliper (4) this bolt (2) is placed at the upper location.

Fig 2: Rear Caliper Guide Pin Bolts-Normal Launch

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

At each rear brake caliper (1), this bolt (3) is placed at the upper location.

Front disc brakes are equipped with an audible wear indicator on the right side inboard brake pad only. The left side pads do not include an audible wear indicator.

Rear disc brakes are equipped with audible wear indicators on both left side and right side inboard brake pads.

When the brake pads are replaced, only brake pads meeting the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) formulation (such as Mopar® replacement parts) should be used.

All brake rotors are fully coated with zinc dust, water-soluble, environmentally friendly corrosion preventive. Both the friction surfaces and the vents are coated. During initial brake applications of a new rotor, the brake pads scrub the coating off the friction surfaces, ensuring that the remainder will be rust free. Coating the vents also ensures that there will not be a loss of heat capacity over time.