Brake caliper replacement/upgrade suggestions? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

4RnnrHntr · 05-07-2017, 02:58 AM

I have dug on here for the past few hours and didn't seem to find anything very helpful for a guy looking to replace and possibly upgrade his brake calipers. I have a more than a few questions after digging deeper into the issue.

Basically I spent the better part of the day trying to figure out a way to get a stuck piston to recess into the caliper. After numerous attempts to include bleeding out the pressure, I gave up, put the old brake pads and rotor back on since I still had the clearance for it, and called it quits. So I now have one side of my 4runner with a new disc and rotor and the other side with the old one. To rewind, the reason in did this in the first place was due to pulsing while coming to a stop and I think that stuck/seized piston may have been the issue all along.

What I want to know is... should I upgrade my calipers if I am going to order a new one for the one side, is it just time to upgrade both? Should I go with a "premium" caliper like these Power Stop Truck & Tow Caliper Brake Kit - Free Shipping on Z36 Powerstop Truck n Tow Brake Kit W/ Red Calipers should I buy them with the vented rotors and call my brand new, $200 pads and rotors a loss since I have now "used" (drove .5 mile on) them? Furthermore, can anyone make any good suggestions for a good set of calipers they would put on their truck? I would like to possibly upgrade to prevent this from happening in the future and I do tow from time to time... but I did like how easy it was to slide new pads in and out of the OEM calipers for future maintenance. Please post any thoughts and suggestions you have and hopefully some other people like myself can find some good answers to some pretty basic brake questions.

fayewong · 05-07-2017, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4RnnrHntr

I have dug on here for the past few hours and didn't seem to find anything very helpful for a guy looking to replace and possibly upgrade his brake calipers. I have a more than a few questions after digging deeper into the issue.

Basically I spent the better part of the day trying to figure out a way to get a stuck piston to recess into the caliper. After numerous attempts to include bleeding out the pressure, I gave up, put the old brake pads and rotor back on since I still had the clearance for it, and called it quits. So I now have one side of my 4runner with a new disc and rotor and the other side with the old one. To rewind, the reason in did this in the first place was due to pulsing while coming to a stop and I think that stuck/seized piston may have been the issue all along.

What I want to know is... should I upgrade my calipers if I am going to order a new one for the one side, is it just time to upgrade both? Should I go with a "premium" caliper like these Power Stop Truck & Tow Caliper Brake Kit - Free Shipping on Z36 Powerstop Truck n Tow Brake Kit W/ Red Calipers should I buy them with the vented rotors and call my brand new, $200 pads and rotors a loss since I have now "used" (drove .5 mile on) them? Furthermore, can anyone make any good suggestions for a good set of calipers they would put on their truck? I would like to possibly upgrade to prevent this from happening in the future and I do tow from time to time... but I did like how easy it was to slide new pads in and out of the OEM calipers for future maintenance. Please post any thoughts and suggestions you have and hopefully some other people like myself can find some good answers to some pretty basic brake questions.

I wouldn't know what rotors or pads you are using, but its best to create a balance. If you got a new tire for one side, wouldn't it logically make sense to do the other side too?

If your rotors are good, I see why you can't keep them. Just take it to the autoparts store and get them trimmed for the warped rotors. If you got a new rotor for one side, get the old one to be trimmed for other side. If safety is your issue, buy a matching rotor that matches the new one you got. Logically all the weight will be in the front when you are braking with a trailer. If I was on a budget, I would just focus on the front rotors and calipers.

And if you are towing, if the trailer got an e-brake or braking system, it is also beneficial to get a trailer braking controller to reduce the strain on the front 4runner brakes if the trailer brakes is working as well. It will reduce the strain and weight that will cause the rotors to warp and wear down.

4RnnrHntr · 05-07-2017, 03:25 AM

I will definitely upgrade both sides if I do one but I am just not sure if I should upgrade. If I just get an OEM caliper for the right side thats fine with me to leave the old one on the left as it appears to still be functioning and will provide the same functionality as the new OEM caliper. I am just not sure if anyone has had any luck or experience in upgrading to a new set of calipers and was it worth it?

fayewong · 05-07-2017, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4RnnrHntr

I will definitely upgrade both sides if I do one but I am just not sure if I should upgrade. If I just get an OEM caliper for the right side thats fine with me to leave the old one on the left as it appears to still be functioning and will provide the same functionality as the new OEM caliper. I am just not sure if anyone has had any luck or experience in upgrading to a new set of calipers and was it worth it?

i came from a 4th gen, upgraded to the fifth gen calipers because of its better braking system and less issues with the frozen calipers. (the irony of this thread) I only had these 5th gen calipers for a month, so I can't tell you if it is worth it in the long run. Plus i don't tow with my 4runner.

1engineer · 05-07-2017, 03:35 AM

How long did your originals last? What year is your 4runner?
Usually original pads and rotors last 70K or more. Tough to beat that with aftermarket.

FrontRange4Runner · 05-07-2017, 03:43 AM

"Upgraded calipers" will do nothing for your overall braking effectiveness unless you are towing massive amounts of weight and have the correct pads and rotors to match. The 5th gen breaking system is very good, and stock calipers are not an issue like they were in the 4th gen. If you have a stuck caliper, replace it with a stock one and move on. Any money spent on "upgrading" the calipers will be a total waste. Also, absolutely do not spend any money on slotted or drilled rotors. They are mostly a gimmick and will do nothing for your stopping distance, brake feel or overall brake effectiveness. If you want to stop more quickly, buy different tires.

catrains · 05-07-2017, 07:46 AM

normal procedure is replacing both front calipers. esp. if this is a old vehicle like 5 plus years . the pistons do bind as they age. this is due to the metal being damaged by corrosive road de icing chemicals or other elements.

the rotors should be replaced not cut . the cutting is a short term fix. towing does add more heat so the rotors if cut , will quickly distort.

when you rotate your tires put some silicone brake grease on the caliper piston seals.. this prevents stuck calipers. only buy new calipers not used/cleaned calipers. these are not very reliable.

4RnnrHntr · 05-07-2017, 01:57 PM

Any suggestions for a good caliper that would come without pads, as I just bought them yesterday? I mean I could just keep them on hand for the future as I will have to replace the pads eventually.

Spanky052 · 05-07-2017, 02:15 PM

They'll only come with pads if you buy a fully "Loaded Caliper" kit. As long as you get semi-loaded, or unloaded, or bare calipers, you should be fine. But... You probably want a semi-loaded setup, to make sure that you're getting pistons with the calipers. A true bare caliper will require you to fit your pistons into the new calipers with new seals and whatnot...

If I were in your shoes and could afford the extra, I'd buy two new loaded calipers and keep the pads for next time. Then if I had some spare time to learn with, I'd rebuild both old calipers, learn how to hone the cylinders, reassemble, clean and paint if desired...

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Theomoji · 11-21-2019, 04:47 PM

UPDATE: I replaced the Calipers with PowerStop. And had mechanics kind of wrestle the dusk shield on the front a bit. Clearing up the dust shield helped 90% of the way, and new calipers helped another 5%. There was still slight rubbing feel for the next 8k miles. But after that, I can say today, it is gone. No more rubbing noise or feeling. I think it was just the bits of rust in the dust shield that needed time.
______________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ ________________________________________

Hi everyone! New to the forum. I got my 2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Premium just last month. It came with a slight brushing, and slowing of the vehicle at idle. So I took it to a shop and they separated a bit more of the dust shield covers. It's 90% better now but there's still slight rubbing, and I'm afraid it's the brake calipers as 5th Gen 4Runners are known to have.

Right now I'm deciding between Cardone A1 with Lifetime Warranty but unpainted. $188 each.

Cardone Reman Disc Brake Caliper P/N:19-6279 | eBay

July 2022 Update: The noise came from the propeller, on the drive shaft. I now know this because I've greased my drive shaft in this video. And now it's smooth as ever. No more noise. By the way I noticed I only have the spyder fittings on both front and back. I do not have the zerk fittings on the propellers. And it is a 4x4. So idk.

And PowerStop $429 for two with only 1 Year Warranty.

PowerStop Front Brake Caliper For Lexus GX460 & Toyota 4Runner | eBay

And there's also Calahans that's only $135 for the pair with 1 year warranty.
Front OE Brake Calipers Pair + Ceramic Pads For Lexus GX460 Toyota 4Runner | eBay

Have anyone used one of them for a long time? Does anyone have a preference of brands?

Bas_G · 05-14-2022, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theomoji

UPDATE: I replaced the Calipers with PowerStop. And had mechanics kind of wrestle the dusk shield on the front a bit. Clearing up the dust shield helped 90% of the way, and new calipers helped another 5%. There was still slight rubbing feel for the next 8k miles. But after that, I can say today, it is gone. No more rubbing noise or feeling. I think it was just the bits of rust in the dust shield that needed time.

How did the callipers hold up over the last few years?