I own a 2001 GC Laredo. It bought it used. It had about 32,000 on it when I bought it. It's got 37K on it now. This is the 3rd time I've had this same problem. When I'm driving in heavy traffic and using the brakes a lot, the left, front brake appears to overheat and the calliper locks up. I can feel it dragging, I can feel a weave when I apply the brakes. I can smell the carbon when I stop and I have seen smoke on 2 of the 3 times.

The first time I took it to Meinekee (only place open) and had them fix it. No problems. Several months later, same thing happened again. Drove home and let it sit overnight. Next day, no problems. Took it into one of the Jeep dealers anyway. They couldn't find anything wrong with it. They test drove it for an hour and couldn't get it to repeat itself. This time happened tonight. It should go away in the morning (as I have to leave at 4:30 am to fly out for business).

I'm just wondering if there is anything I can tell the dealer to check or replace to stop this from happenning. I'm getting really fed up with this. I've had this brake problem and 2 regulator problems on each of the front windows. This is really a crappy model year for Jeep.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Hello,
Sounds like the old "Teeves" caliper problem (bad design of OE calipers-had the same poroblem myself). Replaced calipers with Akebono (complete kit from dealer) PN: 05093174AA (I think).
http://www.wjjeeps.com/brakes.htm
Peter

 

If you replace them don't use low grade rotors either, the calipers will overheat and warp them in no time.

 

The only way to fix it is to change the caliper to the Akebono calipers. The Teeves calipers are open ended and usually have one of the slider pins to sieze. This will make the caliper brake with only the front or the rear of the pad causing a hot spot which warps the rotor. If you can see the caliper through your rim the "Teeves" have a retaining wire that goes from one end across the bottom and to the other end, The "Akebono's" don't have the wire.

Late 2002 Jeep changed to the Akebono calipers.