10 Best Brake Calipers For Jeep Wrangler – What to Buy?
There are various parts in every vehicle without which it just can't work or function properly. One of those crucial parts is the brake caliper that ensures smooth functioning of the brake system installed in your Jeep Wrangler.
The brake system consists of three items: a brake caliper, brake pads, and a rotor. Out of these, the brake caliper does the actual task of releasing the brake pads around the moving rotor to help stop the vehicle.
You must choose the best brake caliper for your Jeep Wrangler because, with its absence, your Jeep Wrangler won't function smoothly and might crash into an accident. Therefore, you should select that brake caliper that goes perfectly well with your Jeep.
Various brake calipers are available in the market, which can create confusion. So, here is a list of some of the best brake calipers for your Jeep Wrangler to choose from.
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Best Brake Calipers For Jeep Wrangler
To help you choose the best brake caliper that'll help you apply the brakes quickly and safely, here is a list of six of the best extensively researched and reviewed brake calipers available.
1. ACDelco 18FR983 Side Disc Brake Caliper
The brake caliper provided by ACDelco is one of the best front passenger and side disc brake calipers. It can be customized easily as the brake pads are not attached to the caliper. In addition to that, it has cleared the pressure test with flying colors.
The brake exterior is immune to corrosion as it's made up of aluminum and iron casting along with an additional coating of zinc. Therefore, you can easily use it to replace the existing brake caliper in your Jeep Wrangler.
Overall, the Jeep Wrangler brake caliper can be installed easily as it includes all the hardware required to do so. It can also withstand high temperatures and doesn't leak because its components are made up of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
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2. Power Stop S4339 Powder-Coated Brake Caliper
In your search for the best brake calipers for Jeep Wrangler, you'll undoubtedly come across this one by Power Stop. It stands out from other brake calipers because of its electrostatic powder paint that prevents corrosion for a long time.
The brake caliper has been re-manufactured in Chicago and uses brand new, high-quality components like bleeder screws, hardware, and pins with a silicone coat. All these components make the caliper perform amazingly behind the custom or stock wheels.
In addition to the unique coat, the brake caliper uses EPDM plastic, which provides it resistance from high temperature. Most importantly, the results of the caliper in the pressure test show that it doesn't leak.
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3. Raybestos FRC11879N Opti-Cal Brake Caliper
The Raybestos optical brake caliper comprises newly manufactured material specially designed to exceed Original Equipment (OE). It undergoes an extra step of surface finishing, which makes it look similar to OE.
It also makes use of EPDM rubber components that make it heat-resistant. In addition to it, the extra coating of zinc along with silicone boots prevents it from corrosion while simultaneously making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
The hardware that comes with this Jeep Wrangler brake caliper includes guide pins that are pre-lubricated to reduce friction. Moreover, you can also customize the brake pads that come along with them.
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4. A-Premium Front Wheel Disc Brake Calipers
This Jeep Wrangler brake caliper by A-Premium is one of the best brake calipers that can be positioned at the right and left front wheels of the Jeep.
The Jeep brake caliper can be installed with ease and can be replaced directly. The components used in it ensure its quality and performance matches with that of the original equipment.
It's highly compatible with the Jeep Wrangler sport-utility models from 1990 to 2006, making it a highly preferred brake caliper.
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5. A-Premium Brake Caliper For Dodge Nitro And Jeep Wrangler
This brake caliper provided by A-Premium goes along with multiple Jeep Wrangler models from 2007 to 2018. It's also compatible with various models of Dodge Nitro from 2007 to 2011.
The brake caliper has direct fit as well as replacement. It comes along with installation hardware, bracket, phenolic piston, with inlet and bleeder ports. The piston's size is 1.89 inches, making it suitable for providing just an adequate amount of braking force.
Moreover, the Jeep Wrangler brake calipers are available in a set of two. Therefore, you can easily place them on the left and right sides of the back of your Jeep Wrangler.
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6. Omix-ADA 16757.07 Rear Right Brake Caliper
The direct-fit brake caliper by Omix-ADA might be last on the list but is not less than the ones mentioned before. It's considered one of the best brake calipers for Jeep Wranglers because of its durability and heat-absorbing mechanism.
The brake systems generate a lot of heat which might lead to malfunctioning and leakage. However, the Omix-ADA brake calipers prevent this leakage by absorbing the excess heat while simultaneously fulfilling their primary purpose.
Moreover, it's a rear right brake caliper with a highly smooth exterior that would make your Jeep Wrangler look aesthetic.
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What To Look For Before Buying?
Brake calipers are one of the essential parts of the braking system of your Jeep Wrangler. It is the mechanism used to slow down your vehicle. Before equipping your car with a third-party brake caliper, you should consider some features that will help you get the best of what you're looking for.
Read below to learn the features that decide the reliability of your Jeep Wrangler brake calipers.
Price
Make sure to cross-check the package that comes at the price that you pay for your brake calipers. The cost of brake rotors varies on average. It depends on the brand, the warranty period, and the quality provided.
If the package contains a cleaner and a lube, your money will be worth it. These would be your third-party Jeep brake calipers; make sure to get all the products at a fair price.
Material
Make sure to get the most durable and robust brake calipers. Metallic or semi-metallic calipers offer to enhance performance for general braking. These calipers last for a long time and ensure durability.
However, bear in your mind that these brake calipers would be pretty noisy and can be the source generating dust. Nevertheless, depending on the construction material, the prices of these calipers may vary. There are noise-free and dust-free ceramic calipers if that is a concern.
Although there is no permanent eradication of noise or dust, you can still go for minimal pollution emissions through ceramic calipers. Note that these may be a bit pricey depending on the quality of the calipers.
Noise
Testing your calipers for noise commotion is crucial. A whining sound while pressing the brake pedal is a sign of dysfunctional brake calipers. This way, you'll hear a sound in your everyday use as well.
While metallic and semi-metallic calipers generate noise, the ceramic calipers are conventionally smooth.
To avoid such inconvenience, it would be best for you to choose rubber-coated calipers. Such calipers minimize the noise while you're driving on the road.
OEM
Getting your brake calipers from the best and most reliable company would be a wise choice given the States' strict quality and production control. Make sure to prioritize a reputed and well-established company from which you can buy your Jeep brake calipers.
While other products may or may not get worn out quickly, OEM products are secure and are trusted for better quality. Also, make sure not to get driven away by different brandings and make a wise choice in purchasing your calipers.
Durability
While shopping for your brake calipers, it is essential to be particular about their durability. The longer they last, the better. Your brake calipers should be strong enough to withstand excessive brakes.
However, it is not possible to predict how long your calipers are going to last. It would be best to purchase the ones that guarantee to cross miles and miles.
The most potent and durable brake calipers would be those with thick metallic pistons with an additional layer of powder coating. This layer enables the longevity of the calipers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the most common problems with brake calipers?
The most common problem associated with calipers is damages to the piston. The piston may seize or crack.
Another cause can be people driving through the brake pads until they lose them. This occurrence also makes them lose the piston, resulting in a leak. Also, caliper slides may sometimes get stuck or seize.
2. How much does a brake caliper cost?
The average costs for brake calipers vary from $391 to $590. It depends on the model of your Jeep Wrangler as well.
For instance, if you're purchasing OEM brake calipers for a 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler, it'll cost you around $397. Whereas, for a 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport JL, brake calipers cost about $314.
3. Can a stuck caliper fix itself?
No, a stuck caliper cannot typically fix itself. However, brake calipers fail intermittently and do not work all of a sudden. It might so happen that before it is completely stuck, it may free itself up sometimes.
However, if the parking brake cable or the brake pads are the cause of the stuck calipers, you can use some grease at the edge by removing the pads and replacing them. A C-clamp would be necessary if the problem is with the caliper pistons or side pins.
4. What are signs of bad rotors?
Several signs indicate the abnormal performance of the rotors. You can feel a vibration through the brake pedals, the steering wheel, or even the car body. This abnormality is caused by a sketchy contact between the rotors and the brake pad.
You may also hear persistent squeaking sounds or grinding and scraping sounds, indicating worn rotors as well as pads.
You can even detect from their appearance when they look scored and grooved, indicating the rotor's impaired conditions. However, the overall performance resulting in stoppages at acceptable distances is a confirmed indication of a damaged braking system.
5. Can you unstick a brake caliper?
Well, it depends on the cause of such a condition. If one of the cable mechanisms, a skewed pad, or sticking pads to the disc is the problem, lubricating should fix it.
However, if there is an issue with the seized caliper or slide pins, you'll need a C-clamp to apply force and remove the pad. You can use the hydraulic pressure of the braking system to remove the seized caliper pistons.
All you need to do is remove the caliper from the disc, hit the brake pedal, and move away from the piston from the damaged portion. You should now be able to disassemble the calipers and rebuild them.
Final Verdict
Now that you are well-informed about the considerations to make while shopping for your Jeep Wrangler brake caliper, you have a good idea of which calipers are the best for your needs.
The durability and good material are two must-haves for any set of calipers. They contribute to the overall performance of the braking system.
Metallic or semi-metallic are good calipers but are noisy, while ceramic brake calipers are smooth and noise-free. Make sure to be thorough with your research before you purchase your brake calipers.