Spongy Brakes?

[CJ26]

Hello all. I just wanted to get some insight from more long-term owners regarding the brakes on their JL Wranglers considering we've only had ours for less than a year. My dad has complained about them over and over claiming they're spongy, comparing them to my Maverick which are firm the moment you hit the pedal. My mom and I think they check out just fine. By comparison, there's considerably more travel. But, I realize it's a bigger b.o.f. vehicle with a top-heavy feel. So of course, there's a lot more mass to come to a halt. He insists they should get looked at for the next service but I'm convinced they're normal. Plus, if I tell the dealer they're not right they'll just tell me they can't replicate the issue or they were inspected and checked out normally.

So, for anyone who's had their JLs for a considerably longer period of time, does anyone else think the brakes are abnormally spongy? Or is it just the nature of the beast? Input would be greatly appreciated to put my dad's mind at ease.

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[StartedWith97TJ]

Hello all. I just wanted to get some insight from more long-term owners regarding the brakes on their JL Wranglers considering we've only had ours for less than a year. My dad has complained about them over and over claiming they're spongy, comparing them to my Maverick which are firm the moment you hit the pedal. My mom and I think they check out just fine. By comparison, there's considerably more travel. But, I realize it's a bigger b.o.f. vehicle with a top-heavy feel. So of course, there's a lot more mass to come to a halt. He insists they should get looked at for the next service but I'm convinced they're normal. Plus, if I tell the dealer they're not right they'll just tell me they can't replicate the issue or they were inspected and checked out normally.

So, for anyone who's had their JLs for a considerably longer period of time, does anyone else think the brakes are abnormally spongy? Or is it just the nature of the beast? Input would be greatly appreciated to put my dad's mind at ease.

It seems to be a problem with many JLs. I know mine displayed the mushy brake syndrome. The fix is to bleed the brakes, included the ABS system. I used J-SCAN to purge the ABS system. It was night and day difference when the process was complete. The pedal was more firm and engaged earlier and more evenly. It felt like an entirely new braking system.

1) Bleed the brakes per your preferred method.
2) Use a tool to purge the ABS system
3) Bleed the brakes again to remove the air that was pushed out of the ABS system.

Lots of videos on YouTube and threads in this forum.

Good luck!

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

My ‘25 2dr JL has ~5000 miles on it as of today and I started noticing a spongy pedal not too long ago. I notice if I double pump the pedal it gets harder. But not every time. It still stops well. Just the pedal feels very soft compared to the first couple thousand miles.

 

[VKSheridan]

Mine has always had a soft pedal but I like it. Especially when traversing loose shale. Some guys like skidding over hazards but not me. It increases the odds of cutting a tire.

I will say this though. The factory brake lines that came with my Jeep were cheap. They expanded like a blowfish and reacted too slow for my liking. I put a set of GRIMM brake lines on at every caliper and never looked back

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