Hey guys. My stock '08 JK Unlimited Rubicon has about 29,300 miles on it and today while I was driving around enjoying the weather with my windows open I noticed a faint squeaking coming from the front wheels.
Back at about 19k miles, while at the dealership for an oil change I had a service rep tell me that the pads had about 40% left on them(in addition to a bunch of other things he insisted me doing) and that he recommended a change at some ridiculous price he quoted me . I declined and decided to just ride them out, after all....40% is STILL 40% .

So now i'm figuring I should finally change the pads but I'm a little cautious about doing it at the dealer(having worked at several in the past) and am wondering if I should just by the pads myself and maybe save myself some money and do it at a local Mineke or something.

Does anyone here have any recommendations or advice? BTW, I am leasing my Jeep but am most likely buying it at the end of the term due to it's awesomeness . But in a worst case scenario, if I do have to give it in for some unexpected reason, would I have any problems for doing mechanical work(brakes) outside the dealership...even if I keep all the documentation/receipts to show that the work was done? I'm guessing(by what I learned from working at previoius dealerships) that I won't but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Thank you very much for the help!

 

why not just install them yourself? its a quick easy job

 

I agree... couldnt be easier... do them yourself

 

I would love to but i'm not sure how "able" I would be to do it. I've never done anything so "technical" on a car before. But if it were a somewhat easy process with detailed directions and it would save me a significant amount of $$$, I wouldn't mind giving it a try.

 

Honestly it's fairly hard to screw up. If you plan on having a Jeep and modifying it, you'll lose your house in paying someone to do or fix everything on it. Start with the simple stuff, do your brakes

 

As already stated, try to do it yourself. It really is not as hard as you think. Or ask for other Jeepers around your area if they can help. Most will be willing too. The dealership will rip you off -- you're talking a good few hundred bucks for just the rear set. It's BS. Do not have the dealership do it.

Do not be intimidated by this write-up by WOL. It seems like a lot, but read through it. It's not the tough. Just take your time. http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...ad-replacement

 

I really appreciate it. That write-up seems very informative and i'm going to give it a try with a buddy of mine. Like you said, I will be saving a bunch of money if I get my hands a little dirty. And i'll also learn something in the process.
Probably going to order me a set of these:
tirerack.com/brakes/brakes.jsp?&make=Hawk&model=Performance+Ceramic+Pa ds&group=Performance+Ceramic+Pads&autoMake=Jeep&au toModel=Wrangler+Unlimited+Rubicon&autoYear=2008&a utoModClar=&perfCode=P[/url]
Seems they are well rated. BTW, if they sell them as "axle set", does that mean it is only one side and I should place an order for quantity 2? Or is that for both front rotors?

Really appreciate all your suggestions everyone.

Any input on the "Lease" issue? Like I said, I love my Jeep and don't plan on returning it at the end of the term. But if it happens for some reason, will they give me any issues about it? I'm guessing they won't unless they find the brake pads are worn. I just have heard several stories about banks charging customer for not doing "scheduled maintainence" when they were supposed to.

 

Changing your brake pads is very easy. I did the pad / rotors in an hour and it was the first time ever doing brakes. Seriously the hardest part was getting off the cailber bolts, and that took only a few mins.

Matt

 

Have you looked at all the pads to determine if they in fact do need changing?

A "faint squeaking coming from the front wheels" doesn't necessarily mean they are worn out.

And, before the fronts go bad, you should have replaced the read pads at least once.

I think you should inspect them before you buy any parts.

Regarding axle sets: that includes all the pads for one axle, both ends.

 

Well I was going to have them take a look at it when I go for my oil change at the dealer this week. If they tell me it's the brakes, I will just do them myself.
Not sure whether the noise is coming from the front or the back. It sounds like the front, but you know how tricky those sounds get.