Jeep Cherokee

 Service Manual

Brakes » Base brake system » Cleaning and inspection
Caliper

CLEANING

Clean the caliper components with clean brake fluid or brake clean only. Wipe the caliper and piston dry with lint free towels or use low pressure compressed air.

CAUTION: Do not use gasoline, kerosene, thinner, or similar solvents. These products may leave a residue that could damage the piston and seal.

INSPECTION

The piston is made from a phenolic resin (plastic material) and should be smooth and clean.

The piston must be replaced if cracked or scored.

Do not attempt to restore a scored piston surface by sanding or polishing.

CAUTION: If the caliper piston is replaced, install the same type of piston in the caliper. Never interchange phenolic resin and steel caliper pistons.

The pistons, seals, seal grooves, caliper bore and piston tolerances are different.

The bore can be lightly polished with a brake hone to remove very minor surface imperfections (Fig. 56). The caliper should be replaced if the bore is severely corroded, rusted, scored, or if polishing would increase bore diameter more than 0.025 mm (0.001 inch).

Fig. 56 Polishing Piston Bore

1 - SPECIAL HONE
2 - CALIPER
3 - PISTON BORE

Caliper

Rear drum brake

Wheel cylinder