Ok, I've got an 07 Sahara two door I rolled new off the lot in January of 07. It's got 88,050 miles, a pretty decent amount freeway, and not a lot of time on the trails (I know, I know). I'm still on factory brakes, although I've had some squeaking for a little while now and today went and bought rotors and pads all around. I figured buy it all up front instead of having to go back to the store.

Anyways, the back were definitely gone, rear passenger rotor had a nice groove, and rear driver side could feel some waves, pads were pretty much shot. Replaced those. Hopped onto the front, and this is what's weird..... rotors in fantastic shape and pads probably still with 50% life, can still see the middle pad groove fine and everything.

Now is this some sort of crazy anomaly or what? I'm almost at 90k and the factory front brakes are fine. I put 36k on in the first year and I guess average only 10k per year or so since. Should I change them anyways? I'm newer to vehicle maintenance like this. I've done all maintenance on my JK since my free dealer stuff ran out in the first year and take it in for an inspection once a year. Only think it has going against it is the oil burn, about a quart every 3k, sometimes a little more.

 

Rear brakes wearing first is common on a lot of late model vehicles, not just the JK.

My opinion is it has a lot to do with rear brake biasing during braking in normal every day use. Hard braking is still the work of the front brakes. Biasing to the rear during normal braking reduces nose dive, and enhances directional stability. Today's anti-lock brake systems are more sophisticated than years ago. Biasing to the rear in the past would have resulted in the rear tires locking up.

Some people believe the ESP system is responsible for rear brake wear, due to it kicking in a lot. This doesn't seem plausible because in normal every day driving, it doesn't kick in at all. Normal braking occurs many times, even during the shortest of drives.

No need to replace the front brakes if they are still good.

 

Thanks. I figured the rear would wear faster, mainly because of RWD, but I'm shocked at the mileage. I'll take it though. I'm just happy to get to return about $110 worth of parts.

 

The rear wheel drive isn't a factor. My VW Golf wore out the rear brakes first. It is front wheel drive, with no ESP programming.

 

66k and my rear were nothing and front were easily over 50%

Sent from my NSA listening device

 

In a year or two when it is time to replace the front brakes, those parts will cost more than they do today, count on it. If it were me, I'll keep the parts on hand rather than returning them, you will need them sooner or later...

 

""" Some people believe the ESP system is responsible for rear brake wear, due to it kicking in a lot. This doesn't seem plausible because in normal every day driving, it doesn't kick in at all. Normal braking occurs many times, even during the shortest of drives. """

My JK is the first vehicle I ever owned where the back brakes are being replaced before the fronts 2 to 1. I haul heavy with my 2500 Duramax with the JK inside the trailer, no problem.brake wear is the same. All my K-5's front brakes up as high as 3 to 1
Buy the best you can afford ,Hawks seem to be wearing fine.

See you on the trail.

 

I have a 09 jk 6 speed. When I drive any were I can feel the braking system come on . Every hill I go up and stop on it turns on . My rear brakes wear way faster than the front ones . I don't mind it but it does suck .