i have a stock 97 tj with 98000 miles on it. this has happened to me two times so far. i will be driving and after about 15 minutes of it the drivers side brakes start to get hot and smell, somtimes they get so hot they crackle and smoke. is it the caliper or the rotor. should i replace the front brakes completily (ie: rotors, pads, calipers)? if so how much will it cost? or can i solve this without new parts. are these brakes on this model prone to problems such as these? thanks for the input. Ryan

Likely that that caliper is shot. They get that way, lock up and then release only to lock up the next week.

If they have gotten that hot, pads are likely shot and I would at least turn the rotors. If it is the stock rotors they commonly warp due to heat.

rotors 40.00 pair, calipers 25 each pads 15 pair

With those miles on the vehicle I say replace the caliber, turn the rotors and put on new pads..

I had to do mine at 80000, so you are doing ok.

yay, somethnig else i can look forward to happening in the near future.....

yeah probably a seized piston, hopefully your rotors arnt that bad but youll need a new caliper/pads and maybe a new rotor.

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yay, somethnig else i can look forward to happening in the near future.....

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Well most of the time when a caliper is binding up it is because there is contamination between the piston and the hosing. So changing pads early and cleaning up the caliper as well as the boot on the piston could be considered preventative. Insure that the boot still seals up.

Another reason is that the caliper is not free to ride on it's mounting pins. Just clean up and re-lube those before you reinstall as you are inspecting your brakes.

I have never been able to wear out the front brakes on a CJ before the rear failed (with rear drum brakes). Often because of the emergency brake cables, many times because of hydraulic or mechanical failure in the drum brakes, a couple of times because of junk inside the drums. But anytime there is a brake problem with one corner it's always better to check all four.

Dale

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Well most of the time when a caliper is binding up it is because there is contamination between the piston and the hosing. So changing pads early and cleaning up the caliper as well as the boot on the piston could be considered preventative. Insure that the boot still seals up.

Another reason is that the caliper is not free to ride on it's mounting pins. Just clean up and re-lube those before you reinstall as you are inspecting your brakes.

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another often overlooked cause is the brake hose. they are made of rubber, and over time deteriorate and swell.

being that the vehicle is a 97, i would recommend hydraulic hose replacement and hard line inspection.